Compounds and methods for inducing chondrogenesis

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides compounds and compositions for the amelioration of arthritis and joint injuries by inducing mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes.

This application is the U.S. National Stage Entry under §371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2012/030567, filed Mar. 26, 2012,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/467,289,filed Mar. 24, 2011, which is incorporated in its entirety herein forall purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Osteoarthritis (OA) represents the most common musculoskeletal disorder.Approximately 40 million Americans are currently affected and thisnumber is predicted to increase to 60 million within the next twentyyears as a result of the aging population and an increase in lifeexpectancy, making it the fourth leading cause of disability. OA ischaracterized by a slow degenerative breakdown of the joint includingboth the articular cartilage (containing the cells and matrix whichproduce lubrication and cushioning for the joint) and the subchondralbone underlying the articular cartilage. Current OA therapies includepain relief with oral NSAIDs or selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2)inhibitors, intra-articular (IA) injection with agents such ascorticorsteroids and hyaluronan, and surgical approaches.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are present in adult articular cartilageand upon isolation can be programmed in vitro to undergo differentiationto chondrocytes and other mesenchymal cell lineages. In part it isregulated by growth factors (TGFβs, BMPs), serum conditions andcell-cell contact.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method ofameliorating arthritis or joint injury in a mammal, the method includingadministering to a joint of the mammal a composition having atherapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I:

In formula I, each of ring A and ring B are independently cycloalkyl,aryl or heteroaryl.

In formula I, each R¹ and R² is independently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ heteroalkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆ alkylhydroxy, —OR^(2a),—NR^(2b)R^(2d), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)R^(1a), —C(O)R^(2d),—C(O)OR^(2a), C₁₋₆ alkyl-C(O)OR^(2b), —OC(O)R^(2b), —OC(O)OR^(2b),—C(O)NR^(2a)R^(2b), —C(O)N(OH)R^(2b), —NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(NR^(2b))NR^(2b)R^(2c),—C(O)NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SR^(2a),—SO₂R^(2b), —SO₂OR^(2b), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —NR^(2b)SO₂R^(2b),—P(O)(OR^(2b))₂, —B(OR^(2b)), —CN, —NO₂, —N₃, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-O-aryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, or heteroaryl-aryl, and wherein theheterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally substitutedwith 1 to 2 R^(2a) groups.

In formula I, R^(1a) is —OR^(1b) or —NR^(1b)R^(1c); R^(1b) and R^(1c)are each independently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl,cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, or C₁₋₆alkyl-heteroaryl, wherein the cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl andheteroaryl groups are optionally substituted with from 1 to 4 R^(1d)groups; and each R^(1d) is independently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, or—NO₂.

In formula I, each R^(2a) is independently H, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl or C₁₋₆alkyl-heteroaryl, optionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups; eachR^(2b) and R^(2c) is independently H, or C₁₋₆ alkyl; and each R^(2d) isindependently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-aryl or C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, each optionally substituted with 1to 2 R^(2b) groups.

In formula I, each of L¹ and L² are independently L¹ and L² areindependently a bond, C₁₋₆ alkylene, C₂₋₆ alkenylene, C₁₋₆ alkylene-O—,—O—C₁₋₆ alkylene, C₁₋₆ alkylene-NR^(3a)—, —NR^(3a)—C₁₋₆ alkylene,—C(O)—, C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—, —C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-NH—, —NH—C₁₋₆alkylene-C(O)—, —C(O)NH—, —NHC(O)—, C₁₋₆ alkylene-NHC(O)—, —SO₂NH—,—NHSO₂—, —NHC(O)NH—, cycloalkylene, —N═N—, or —C(R^(3a))═N(R^(3c))—,wherein the alkylene group is optionally substituted with from 1-4R^(3b) groups. R^(3a) of formula I is H or C₁₋₆ alkyl. Each R^(3b) offormula I is independently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, halogen, —OR^(3a) or—NR^(3a)R^(3a), R^(3c) of formula I is absent or —OH.

Alternatively, L² is combined with R¹, L¹ is combined with L², L¹ iscombined with R², two R¹ groups on adjacent ring atoms, or two R² groupson adjacent ring atoms are combined to form a 5-6 memberedheterocycloalkyl with from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S,or a 5-6 membered heteroaryl with from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected fromN, O and S, and optionally substituted with from 1 to 3 groups of H,C₁₋₆ alkyl or oxo.

In formula I, subscripts m and n are each an integer from 1 to 3.

Moreover, the compounds of formula I are those wherein:

-   -   (a) L¹ is a bond, L² is —C(O)NH—, ring B is phenyl, and at least        one R² is —CN or phenyl, or    -   (b) at least one R¹ is —C(O)OH, ring A is phenyl, L² is        —C(O)NH—, and L¹ is a bond or C₁₋₆ alkylene, or    -   (c) each of ring A and ring B is phenyl, at least one R¹ is        —C(O)OH or combined with L², and at least one R² is H, —CN and        —C(O)OH.

The compounds of formula I are such that when R¹ is —CO₂H, subscript nis 1, ring A is phenyl, L² is —C(O)NH—, L¹ is a bond, ring B is phenyl,subscript m is 1, and R² is phenyl, then the phenyl of R² is substitutedwith C₁₋₆ alkyl.

The compounds of formula I include the salts and isomers thereof. Inthis manner, the arthritis or joint injury in the mammal is ameliorated.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of inducingdifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes, the methodincluding contacting mesenchymal stem cells with a sufficient amount ofa compound of Formula I, thereby inducing differentiation of the stemcells into chondrocytes.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a compound havingthe structure:

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceuticalcomposition including a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and acompound having the structure:

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceuticalcomposition formulated for intra-articular delivery, the compositionincluding a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound of Formula Iand a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the formation of chondrogenic nodules by human mesenchymalstem cells (hMSCs) upon treatment with inducer PRO1 (AKT), as visualizedby rhodamine B-staining of cultured cells.

FIG. 2A shows chondrocyte differentiation as indicated byimmunocytochemical staining of type II collagen in a PRO1-treated hMSCculture.

FIG. 2B shows the chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs, as assessed byquantitation of type II collagen expression, in cell cultures treatedwith PRO1 (AKT), PRO1-CN (AKT-CN), and known inducers of chondrogenicdifferentiation.

FIG. 2C shows the inhibition of cytokine-induced nitric oxide release inprimary bovine chondrocyte cultures after treatment with PRO1 (AKT) andrelated analogues.

FIG. 2D shows the inhibition of cytokine-induced glycosaminoglycan (GAG)release in cartilage explants treated with PRO1 (AKT) ex vivo.

FIG. 2E shows the PRO1-induced promotion of type II collagen andaggrecan expression in a three-dimensional culture environment, asassessed by immunohistochemical staining of treated pellet cultures.

FIG. 3A shows the histological analysis of collagenase-induced jointdamage in C57BL/10 mice with and without treatment via IA injection ofPRO1 (AKT).

FIG. 3B shows the total medial tibial plateau joint score as determinedby two blinded observers using the OARSI scoring system.

FIG. 3C shows the ELISA determination of circulating COMP in peripheralblood serum drawn from C57BL/10 mice during and after the course oftreatment via IA injection of PRO1 (AKT).

FIG. 4A shows the visualization of the medial tibial plateau fromrepresentative female 129SVE mice during treatment of surgically-inducedcartilage injury via IA injection of PRO1 (AKT).

FIG. 4B shows the joint severity scores on day 28 after cartilageinjury, as determined by histomorphometric analysis and grading by twoblinded observers using a modified OARSI scoring system.

FIG. 4C shows the ELISA determination of cleaved type II collagenfragments (CTX-II) levels in peripheral blood serum collected 28 daysafter cartilage injury.

FIG. 5A shows the redistribution of weight to the hind legs by female129SVE mice after IA injection of PRO1 (AKT) for treatment ofsurgically-induced cartilage injury.

FIG. 5B shows the joint severity scores of the lateral tibial plateau onday 56 after cartilage injury, as determined by histomorphometricanalysis and grading by two blinded observers using a modified OARSIscoring system.

FIG. 5C shows the immunohistochemical analysis of type II collagen inrepresentative mice following IA injection of PRO1 (AKT) for treatmentof surgically-induced cartilage injury.

FIG. 6A shows the detection of biotinylated species resulting fromreaction of a biotin-PRO1-azide (AKT-azide) analogue with closelyassociated proteins in cultured cells, as analyzed by Western blottingof fractionated hMSC lysates.

FIG. 6B shows expression levels of FLNA in hMSCs cultured in thepresence of PRO1 (AKT), as assessed by Western blotting.

FIG. 6C shows the expression levels of PEBP2β/Runx1 pathway members inhMSCs treated with PRO1 (AKT) in monolayer or pellet cultures, asassessed by Western blotting.

FIG. 7 shows the inhibition of FLNA/PEB2β interactions by PRO1 (AKT), asassessed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting with the indicatedantibodies.

FIG. 8 shows compounds of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

I. General

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that thecompounds of the present invention stimulate chondrocyte differentiationin mesenchymal stem cells. Accordingly, the present invention providesfor methods of induction of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation intochondrocytes. Further, the present invention provides for administrationof compounds and compositions of the present invention to prevent orameliorate arthritis or joint injury by administrating the compound orcomposition into a joint, the vertebrae, vertebral disc or systemically.

II. Definitions

“Alkyl” refers to a straight or branched, saturated, aliphatic radicalhaving the number of carbon atoms indicated. For example, C₁-C₆ alkylincludes, but is not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, etc.Other alkyl groups include, but are not limited to heptyl, octyl, nonyl,decyl, etc. Alkyl can include any number of carbons, such as 1-2, 1-3,1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-9, 1-10, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 3-4, 3-5, 3-6,4-5, 4-6 and 5-6. The alkyl group is typically monovalent, but can bedivalent, such as when the alkyl group links two moieties together.

The term “lower” referred to above and hereinafter in connection withorganic radicals or compounds respectively defines a compound or radicalwhich can be branched or unbranched with up to and including 7,preferably up to and including 4 and (as unbranched) one or two carbonatoms.

“Alkylene” refers to an alkyl group, as defined above, linking at leasttwo other groups, i.e., a divalent hydrocarbon radical. The two moietieslinked to the alkylene can be linked to the same atom or different atomsof the alkylene. For instance, a straight chain alkylene can be thebivalent radical of —(CH₂)_(n), where n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Alkylenegroups include, but are not limited to, methylene, ethylene, propylene,isopropylene, butylene, isobutylene, sec-butylene, pentylene andhexylene.

“Alkoxy” refers to an alkyl group having an oxygen atom that connectsthe alkyl group to the point of attachment: alkyl-O—. As for alkylgroup, alkoxy groups can have any suitable number of carbon atoms, suchas C₁₋₆. Alkoxy groups include, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy,iso-propoxy, butoxy, 2-butoxy, iso-butoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy,pentoxy, hexoxy, etc. The alkoxy groups can be further substituted witha variety of substituents described within. Alkoxy groups can besubstituted or unsubstituted.

“Alkylhydroxy” refers to an alkyl group, as defined above, where atleast one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced with a hydroxy group. As forthe alkyl group, hydroxyalkyl groups can have any suitable number ofcarbon atoms, such as C₁₋₆. Exemplary hydroxyalkyl groups include, butare not limited to, hydroxy-methyl, hydroxy-ethyl (where the hydroxy isin the 1- or 2-position), hydroxy-propyl (where the hydroxy is in the1-, 2- or 3-position), hydroxy-butyl (where the hydroxy is in the 1-,2-, 3- or 4-position), hydroxy-pentyl (where the hydroxy is in the 1-,2-, 3-, 4- or 5-position), hydroxy-hexyl (where the hydroxy is in the1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-position), 1,2-dihydroxyethyl, and the like.

“Halogen” refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

“Haloalkyl” refers to alkyl as defined above where some or all of thehydrogen atoms are substituted with halogen atoms. Halogen (halo)preferably represents chloro or fluoro, but may also be bromo or iodo.For example, haloalkyl includes trifluoromethyl, fluoromethyl,1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-phenyl, etc. The term “perfluoro” defines acompound or radical which has at least two available hydrogenssubstituted with fluorine. For example, perfluorophenyl refers to1,2,3,4,5-pentafluorophenyl, perfluoromethane refers to1,1,1-trifluoromethyl, and perfluoromethoxy refers to1,1,1-trifluoromethoxy.

“Halo-alkoxy” refers to an alkoxy group having at least one halogen.Halo-alkoxy is as defined for alkoxy where some or all of the hydrogenatoms are substituted with halogen atoms. The alkoxy groups can besubstituted with 1, 2, 3, or more halogens. When all the hydrogens arereplaced with a halogen, for example by fluorine, the compounds areper-substituted, for example, perfluorinated. Halo-alkoxy includes, butis not limited to, trifluoromethoxy, 2,2,2,-trifluoroethoxy,perfluoroethoxy, etc.

“Alkyl amine” refers to an alkyl groups as defined within, having one ormore amino groups. The amino groups can be primary, secondary ortertiary. The alkyl amine can be further substituted with a hydroxygroup. Alkyl amines useful in the present invention include, but are notlimited to, ethyl amine, propyl amine, isopropyl amine, ethylene diamineand ethanolamine. The amino group can link the alkyl amine to the pointof attachment with the rest of the compound, be at the omega position ofthe alkyl group, or link together at least two carbon atoms of the alkylgroup. One of skill in the art will appreciate that other alkyl aminesare useful in the present invention.

“Heteroalkyl” refers to an alkyl group of any suitable length and havingfrom 1 to 3 heteroatoms such as N, O and S. Additional heteroatoms canalso be useful, including, but not limited to, B, Al, Si and P. Theheteroatoms can also be oxidized, such as, but not limited to, —S(O)—and —S(O)₂—. For example, heteroalkyl can include ethers, thioethers andalkyl-amines. The heteroatom portion of the heteroalkyl can replace ahydrogen of the alkyl group to form a hydroxy, thio or amino group.Alternatively, the heteroartom portion can be the connecting atom, or beinserted between two carbon atoms.

Substituents for the alkyl and heteroalkyl radicals (including thosegroups often referred to as alkylene, alkenyl, heteroalkylene,heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, andheterocycloalkenyl) can be one or more of a variety of groups selectedfrom, but not limited to: —OR′, ═O, ═NR′, ═N—OR′, —NR′R″, —SR′,-halogen, —SiR′R″R′″, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)R′, —CO₂R′, —CONR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″,—NR″C(O)R′, —NR′—C(O)NR″R′″, —NR″C(O)₂R′, —NR—C(NR′R″R′″)═NR″″,—NR—C(NR′R″)═NR′″, —S(O)R′, —S(O)₂R′, —S(O)₂NR′R″, —NRSO₂R′, —CN and—NO₂ in a number ranging from zero to (2m′+1), where m′ is the totalnumber of carbon atoms in such radical. R′, R″, R′″ and R″″ eachpreferably independently refer to hydrogen, substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, e.g., aryl substitutedwith 1-3 halogens, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy orthioalkoxy groups, or arylalkyl groups. When a compound of the inventionincludes more than one R group, for example, each of the R groups isindependently selected as are each R′, R″, R′″ and R″″ groups when morethan one of these groups is present. When R′ and R″ are attached to thesame nitrogen atom, they can be combined with the nitrogen atom to forma 5-, 6-, or 7-membered ring. For example, —NR′R″ is meant to include,but not be limited to, 1-pyrrolidinyl and 4-morpholinyl. From the abovediscussion of substituents, one of skill in the art will understand thatthe term “alkyl” is meant to include groups including carbon atoms boundto groups other than hydrogen groups, such as haloalkyl (e.g., —CF₃ and—CH₂CF₃) and acyl (e.g., —C(O)CH₃, —C(O)CF₃, —C(O)CH₂OCH₃, and thelike).

“Alkenyl” refers to either a straight chain or branched hydrocarbon of 2to 6 carbon atoms, having at least one double bond. Examples of alkenylgroups include, but are not limited to, vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl,1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, isobutenyl, butadienyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl,isopentenyl, 1,3-pentadienyl, 1,4-pentadienyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl,3-hexenyl, 1,3-hexadienyl, 1,4-hexadienyl, 1,5-hexadienyl,2,4-hexadienyl, or 1,3,5-hexatrienyl. Alkenyl groups can also have from2 to 3, 2 to 4, 2 to 5, 3 to 4, 3 to 5, 3 to 6, 4 to 5, 4 to 6 and 5 to6 carbons. The alkenyl groups is typically monovalent, but can bedivalent, such as when the alkenyl group links two moieties together.

“Alkenylene” refers to an alkenyl group, as defined above, linking atleast two other groups, i.e., a divalent hydrocarbon radical. The twomoieties linked to the alkenylene can be linked to the same atom ordifferent atoms of the alkenylene. Alkenylene groups include, but arenot limited to, ethenylene, propenylene, isopropenylene, butenylene,isobutenylene, sec-butenylene, pentenylene and hexenylene.

“Alkynyl” refers to either a straight chain or branched hydrocarbon of 2to 6 carbon atoms, having at least one triple bond. Examples of alkynylgroups include, but are not limited to, acetylenyl, propynyl, 1-butynyl,2-butynyl, isobutynyl, sec-butynyl, butadiynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl,isopentynyl, 1,3-pentadiynyl, 1,4-pentadiynyl, 1-hexynyl, 2-hexynyl,3-hexynyl, 1,3-hexadiynyl, 1,4-hexadiynyl, 1,5-hexadiynyl,2,4-hexadiynyl, or 1,3,5-hexatriynyl. Alkynyl groups can also have from2 to 3, 2 to 4, 2 to 5, 3 to 4, 3 to 5, 3 to 6, 4 to 5, 4 to 6 and 5 to6 carbons. The alkynyl groups is typically monovalent, but can bedivalent, such as when the alkynyl group links two moieties together.

“Alkynylene” refers to an alkynyl group, as defined above, linking atleast two other groups, i.e., a divalent hydrocarbon radical. The twomoieties linked to the alkynylene can be linked to the same atom ordifferent atoms of the alkynylene. Alkynylene groups include, but arenot limited to, ethynylene, propynylene, isopropynylene, butynylene,sec-butynylene, pentynylene and hexynylene.

“Cycloalkyl” refers to a saturated or partially unsaturated, monocyclic,fused bicyclic or bridged polycyclic ring assembly containing from 3 to12 ring atoms, or the number of atoms indicated Monocyclic ringsinclude, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,and cyclooctyl. Bicyclic and polycyclic rings include, for example,norbornane, decahydronaphthalene and adamantane. For example, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl includes cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,cyclooctyl, and norbornane. Partially unsaturated cycloalkyl ringsinclude, but are not limited to, cyclohexene and norbornene.

“Cycloalkylene” refers to a cycloalkyl group, as defined above, linkingat least two other groups, i.e., a divalent hydrocarbon radical. The twomoieties linked to the cycloalkylene can be linked to the same atom ordifferent atoms of the cycloalkylene. Cycloalkylene groups include, butare not limited to, cyclopropylene, cyclobutylene, cyclopentylene,cyclohexylene, and cyclooctylene.

“Heterocycloalkyl” refers to a ring system having from 3 ring members toabout 20 ring members and from 1 to about 5 heteroatoms such as N, O andS. Additional heteroatoms can also be useful, including, but not limitedto, B, Al, Si and P. The heteroatoms can also be oxidized, such as, butnot limited to, —S(O)— and —S(O)₂—. Heterocycloalkyl groups can havefrom 5 to 8 ring members and from 1 to 4 heteroatoms, or from 5 to 8ring members and from 1 to 3 heteroatoms, or from 5 to 6 ring membersand from 1 to 4 heteroatoms, or from 5 to 6 ring members and from 1 to 3heteroatoms. For example, heterocycloalkyl includes, but is not limitedto, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, morpholino, pyrrolidinyl,pyrrolinyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl,piperazinyl, piperidinyl, indolinyl, quinuclidinyl and1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl.

“Heterocyclalkylene” refers to a heterocyclalkyl group, as definedabove, linking at least two other groups. The two moieties linked to theheterocyclalkylene can be linked to the same atom or different atoms ofthe heterocyclalkylene.

“Aryl” refers to a monocyclic or fused bicyclic, tricyclic or greater,aromatic ring assembly containing 6 to 16 ring carbon atoms. Forexample, aryl may be phenyl, benzyl, biphenyl, or naphthyl, preferablyphenyl. “Arylene” means a divalent radical derived from an aryl group.Aryl groups can be mono-, di- or tri-substituted by one, two or threeradicals selected from alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, hydroxy, halogen, cyano,amino, amino-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, alkylenedioxy andoxy-C₂-C₃-alkylene; all of which are optionally further substituted, forinstance as hereinbefore defined; or 1- or 2-naphthyl; or 1- or2-phenanthrenyl. Alkylenedioxy is a divalent substitute attached to twoadjacent carbon atoms of phenyl, e.g. methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy.Oxy-C₂-C₃-alkylene is also a divalent substituent attached to twoadjacent carbon atoms of phenyl, e.g. oxyethylene or oxypropylene. Anexample for oxy-C₂-C₃-alkylene-phenyl is 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl.

“Arylene” refers to an aryl group, as defined above, linking at leasttwo other groups. The two moieties linked to the arylene are linked todifferent atoms of the arylene. Arylene groups include, but are notlimited to, phenylene.

“Arylene-oxy” refers to an arylene group, as defined above, where one ofthe moieties linked to the arylene is linked through an oxygen atom.Arylene-oxy groups include, but are not limited to, phenylene-oxy.

“Heteroaryl” refers to a monocyclic or fused bicyclic or tricyclicaromatic ring assembly containing 5 to 16 ring atoms, where from 1 to 4of the ring atoms are a heteroatom each N, O or S. For example,heteroaryl includes pyridyl, indolyl, indazolyl, quinoxalinyl,quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzothienyl, benzofuranyl, furanyl,pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl,tetrazolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thienyl, or any other radicalssubstituted, especially mono- or di-substituted, by e.g. alkyl, nitro orhalogen. Pyridyl represents 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, advantageously 2- or3-pyridyl. Thienyl represents 2- or 3-thienyl. Quinolinyl representspreferably 2-, 3- or 4-quinolinyl. Isoquinolinyl represents preferably1-, 3- or 4-isoquinolinyl. Benzopyranyl, benzothiopyranyl representspreferably 3-benzopyranyl or 3-benzothiopyranyl, respectively. Thiazolylrepresents preferably 2- or 4-thiazolyl, and most preferred,4-thiazolyl. Triazolyl is preferably 1-, 2- or 5-(1,2,4-triazolyl).Tetrazolyl is preferably 5-tetrazolyl.

Preferably, heteroaryl is pyridyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, pyrrolyl,thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl,thienyl, furanyl, benzothiazolyl, benzofuranyl, isoquinolinyl,benzothienyl, oxazolyl, indazolyl, or any of the radicals substituted,especially mono- or di-substituted.

Similarly, substituents for the aryl and heteroaryl groups are variedand are selected from: -halogen, —OR′, —OC(O)R′, —NR′R″, —SR′, —R′, —CN,—NO₂, —CO₂R′, —CONR′R″, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR″C(O)R′,—NR″C(O)₂R′—NR′—C(O)NR″R′″, —NH—C(NH₂)═NH, —NR′C(NH₂)═NH,—NH—C(NH₂)═NR′, —S(O)R′, —S(O)₂R′, —S(O)₂NR′R″, —N₃, —CH(Ph)₂,perfluoro(C₁-C₄)alkoxy, and perfluoro(C₁-C₄)alkyl, in a number rangingfrom zero to the total number of open valences on the aromatic ringsystem; and where R′, R″ and R′″ are independently selected fromhydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl and heteroalkyl, unsubstituted aryl andheteroaryl, (unsubstituted aryl)-(C₁-C₄)alkyl, and (unsubstitutedaryl)oxy-(C₁-C₄)alkyl.

“Alkyl-aryl” refers to a radical having an alkyl component and an arylcomponent, where the alkyl component links the aryl component to thepoint of attachment. The alkyl component is as defined above, exceptthat the alkyl component is at least divalent in order to link to thearyl component and to the point of attachment. In some instances, thealkyl component can be absent. The aryl component is as defined above.Examples of alkyl-aryl groups include, but are not limited to, benzyl.

“Alkyl-heteroaryl” refers to a radical having an alkyl component and aheteroaryl component, where the alkyl component links the heteroarylcomponent to the point of attachment. The alkyl component is as definedabove, except that the alkyl component is at least divalent in order tolink to the heteroaryl component and to the point of attachment. In someinstances, the alkyl component can be absent. The heteroaryl componentis as defined within. Examples of alkyl-heteroaryl includemethylene-pyridyl, among others.

“Alkyl-cycloalkyl” refers to a radical having an alkyl component and acycloalkyl component, where the alkyl component links the cycloalkylcomponent to the point of attachment. The alkyl component is as definedabove, except that the alkyl component is at least divalent in order tolink to the cycloalkyl component and to the point of attachment. In someinstances, the alkyl component can be absent. The cycloalkyl componentis as defined within. Examples of alkyl-cycloalkyl includemethylene-cyclohexane, among others.

“Alkyl-heterocycloalkyl” refers to a radical having an alkyl componentand a heterocycloalkyl component, where the alkyl component links theheterocycloalkyl component to the point of attachment. The alkylcomponent is as defined above, except that the alkyl component is atleast divalent in order to link to the heterocycloalkyl component and tothe point of attachment. In some instances, the alkyl component can beabsent. The heterocycloalkyl component is as defined above. Examples ofalkyl-heterocycloalkyl include methylene-piperidinyl, among others.

“Heteroaryl-aryl” refers to a radical having a heteroaryl component andan aryl component, where the heteroaryl component links the arylcomponent to the point of attachment on the compound of the presentinvention. The heteroaryl component is as defined above, except that theheteroaryl component is at least divalent to link to the aryl componentand to the point of attachment on the compound of the present invention.The aryl component is as defined above.

“Linker” refers to a chemical moiety that links the compound of thepresent invention to a biological material that targets a specific typeof cell, such as a cancer cell, other type of diseased cell, or a normalcell type. Linkers useful in the present invention can be up to 30carbon atoms in length. The types of bonds used to link the linker tothe compound and biological molecule of the present invention include,but are not limited to, amides, amines, esters, carbamates, ureas,thioethers, thiocarbamates, thiocarbonate and thioureas. One of skill inthe art will appreciate that other types of bonds are useful in thepresent invention.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” refers to a substance that aidsthe administration of an active agent to and absorption by a subject.Pharmaceutical excipients useful in the present invention include, butare not limited to, binders, fillers, disintegrants, lubricants,coatings, sweeteners, flavors and colors. One of skill in the art willrecognize that other pharmaceutical excipients are useful in the presentinvention.

“Contacting” refers to the process of bringing into contact at least twodistinct species such that they can react. It should be appreciated,however, the resulting reaction product can be produced directly from areaction between the added reagents or from an intermediate from one ormore of the added reagents which can be produced in the reactionmixture.

“Therapeutically effective amount or dose” or “therapeuticallysufficient amount or dose” or “effective or sufficient amount or dose”refer to a dose that produces therapeutic effects for which it isadministered. The exact dose will depend on the purpose of thetreatment, and will be ascertainable by one skilled in the art usingknown techniques (see, e.g., Lieberman, Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms(vols. 1-3, 1992); Lloyd, The Art, Science and Technology ofPharmaceutical Compounding (1999); Pickar, Dosage Calculations(1999);and Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th Edition, 2003,Gennaro, Ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins).

“Subject” refers to animals such as mammals, including, but not limitedto, primates (e.g., humans), domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sportsor pet animals, such as cattle (e.g. cows), horses, dogs, sheep, pigs,rabbits, goats, cats, mice, etc. In certain embodiments, the subject isa human.

“Administering” refers to administration to a specific joint.

“Treat”, “treating”, “treatment” plus “ameliorate” and “ameliorating”refer to any indicia of success in the treatment or amelioration of aninjury, pathology, condition, or symptom (e.g., pain), including anyobjective or subjective parameter such as abatement; remission;diminishing of symptoms or making the symptom, injury, pathology orcondition more tolerable to the patient; decreasing the frequency orduration of the symptom or condition; or, in some situations, preventingthe onset of the symptom or condition. The treatment or amelioration ofsymptoms can be based on any objective or subjective parameter;including, e.g., the result of a physical examination.

“At increased risk for” refers to a patient having an above average riskfor a particular disease or condition, wherein the increased risk is aresult of existing health conditions, genetic or family history,existing or prior injuries, repetitive motion actions or conditions.

“Chondrocytes” refers to cartilage cells. Chondrocytes produce andmaintain the cartilaginous matrix which is composed of collagen andproteoglycans. Chondrocytes are derived from the differentiation ofmesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are multipotent stem cells that candifferentiate into several different types of cells including, but notlimited to, osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. Differentiation isthe process a specialized cell type is formed from a less specializedcell type, for example, a chondrocyte from a MSC.

“Hyaluronic acid” refers to derivatives of hyaluronic acid that includeesters of hyaluronic acid, salts of hyaluronic acid and also includesthe term hyaluronan. The designation also includes both low and highmolecular weight forms of hyaluronans and crosslinked hyaluronans orhylans. Examples of such hyaluronans are Synvisc™ (Genzyme Corp.Cambridge, Mass.), ORTHOVISC™ (Anika Therapeutics, Woburn, Mass.), andHYALGAN™ (Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc., Malvern, Pa.).

III. Compounds

In some embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of formulaI:

In formula I, each of ring A and ring B are independently cycloalkyl,aryl or heteroaryl.

In formula I, each R¹ and R² is independently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ heteroalkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆ alkylhydroxy, —OR^(2a),—NR^(2b)R^(2d), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)R^(1a), —C(O)R^(2d),—C(O)OR^(2a), C₁₋₆ alkyl-C(O)OR^(2b), —OC(O)R^(2b), —OC(O)OR^(2b),—C(O)NR^(2a)R^(2b), —C(O)N(OH)R^(2b), —NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(NR^(2b))NR^(2b)R^(2c),—C(O)NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SR^(2a),—SO₂R^(2b), —SO₂OR^(2b), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —NR^(2b)SO₂R^(2b),—P(O)(OR^(2b))₂, —B(OR^(2b)), —CN, —NO₂, —N₃, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-O-aryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, or heteroaryl-aryl, and wherein theheterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally substitutedwith 1 to 2 R^(2a) groups.

In formula I, R^(1a) is —OR^(1b) or —NR^(1b)R^(1c); R^(1b) and R^(1c)are each independently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl,cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, or C₁₋₆alkyl-heteroaryl, wherein the cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl andheteroaryl groups are optionally substituted with from 1 to 4 R^(1d)groups; and each R^(1d) is independently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, or—NO₂.

In formula I, each R^(2a) is independently H, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl or C₁₋₆alkyl-heteroaryl, optionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups; eachR^(2b) and R² is independently H, or C₁₋₆ alkyl; and each R^(2d) isindependently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-aryl or C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, each optionally substituted with 1to 2 R^(2b) groups.

In formula I, each of L¹ and L² are independently L¹ and L² areindependently a bond, C₁₋₆ alkylene, C₂₋₆ alkenylene, C₁₋₆ alkylene-O—,—O—C₁₋₆ alkylene, C₁₋₆ alkylene-NR^(3a)—, —NR^(3a)—C₁₋₆ alkylene,—C(O)—, C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—, —C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-NH—, —NH—C₁₋₆alkylene-C(O)—, —C(O)NH—, —NHC(O)—, C₁₋₆ alkylene-NHC(O)—, —SO₂NH—,—NHSO₂—, —NHC(O)NH—, cycloalkylene, —N═N—, or —C(R^(3a))═N(R^(3c))—,wherein the alkylene group is optionally substituted with from 1-4R^(3b) groups. R^(3a) of formula I is H or C₁₋₆ alkyl. Each R^(3b) offormula I is independently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, halogen, —OR^(3a) or—NR^(3a)R^(3a). R^(3c) of formula I is absent or —OH.

Alternatively, L² is combined with R¹, L¹ is combined with L², L¹ iscombined with R², two R¹ groups on adjacent ring atoms, or two R² groupson adjacent ring atoms are combined to form a 5-6 memberedheterocycloalkyl with from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S,or a 5-6 membered heteroaryl with from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected fromN, O and S, and optionally substituted with from 1 to 3 groups of H,C₁₋₆ alkyl or oxo.

In formula I, subscripts m and n are each an integer from 1 to 3.

Moreover, the compounds of formula I are those wherein:

-   -   (a) L¹ is a bond, L² is —C(O)NH—, ring B is phenyl, and at least        one R² is —CN or phenyl, or    -   (b) at least one R¹ is —C(O)OH, ring A is phenyl, L² is        —C(O)NH—, and L¹ is a bond or C₁₋₆ alkylene, or    -   (c) each of ring A and ring B is phenyl, at least one R¹ is        —C(O)OH or combined with L², and at least one R² is H, —CN and        —C(O)OH.

The compounds of formula I are such that when R¹ is —CO₂H, subscript nis 1, ring A is phenyl, L² is —C(O)NH—, L¹ is a bond, ring B is phenyl,subscript m is 1, and R² is phenyl, then the phenyl of R² is substitutedwith C₁₋₆ alkyl.

The compounds of formula I include the salts and isomers thereof.

In some embodiments, the compounds of formula I are those wherein:

-   -   (a) L¹ is a bond, L² is —C(O)NH—, ring B is phenyl, R² is —CN or        phenyl, and subscript m is 1, or    -   (b) R¹ is —C(O)OH, subscript n is 1, ring A is phenyl, L² is        —C(O)NH—, and L¹ is a bond or —CH₂—, or    -   (c) each of ring A and ring B is phenyl, R¹ is —C(O)OH or        combined with L², subscript n is 1, and at least one R² is        selected from the group consisting of H, —CN and —CO₂H.

In some embodiments, the compounds of the present invention have thestructure:

The compounds of the present invention can also have any of thefollowing structures:

In some embodiments, the compounds of formulas I, Ia, Ia1, Ia2, Ia3 andIc are those wherein each R¹ is independently C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ heteroalkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆ alkylhydroxy, —OR^(2a), —NR^(2b)R^(2d),C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)R^(1a), —C(O)OR^(2a), C₁₋₆alkyl-C(O)OR^(2b), —OC(O)R^(2b), —OC(O)OR^(2b), —C(O)NR^(2a)R^(2b),—C(O)N(OH)R^(2b), —NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(NR^(2b))NR^(2b)R^(2c),—C(O)NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SR^(2a),—SO₂R^(2b), —SO₂OR^(2b), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —NR^(2b)SO₂R^(2b),—P(O)(OR^(2b))₂, —B(OR^(2b)), —CN, —NO₂, —N₃, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-O-aryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, or heteroaryl-aryl, and wherein theheterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally substitutedwith 1 to 2 R^(2a) groups. In some embodiments, the compounds offormulas I, Ia, Ia1, Ia2, Ia3 and Ic are those wherein each R¹ isindependently —C(O)R^(2d), —C(O)OR^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-C(O)OR^(2b),—NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SO₂OR^(2b),—SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —NR^(2b)SO₂R^(2b), or —CN. In some embodiments, thecompounds of formulas I, Ia, Ia1, Ia2, Ia3 and Ic are those wherein eachR¹ is independently —CH₂C(O)OH, —C(O)Me, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(O)OMe,—NHSO₂Me, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHMe, —SO₃H, —C(O)OH, or —CN. Moreover, each ofR^(2a), R^(2b), R^(2c) and R^(2d) are independently H or C₁₋₆ alkyl. Inthe compounds of formulas I, Ia, Ia1, Ia2, Ia3 and Ic, the compounds arethose wherein when ring A is phenyl and at least one R¹ is —C(O)OH, thensubscript n is 2 or 3.

In some embodiments, the compounds of formulas I, Ia, Ia2, Ib and Ic arethose wherein each R² is independently H, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)OR^(2b), —C(O)N(OH)R^(2b), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—SO₂OR^(2b), —PO₃H, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, or C₁₋₆ alkyl-O-aryl. In someembodiments, the compounds of formulas I, Ia, Ia2, Ib and Ic are thosewherein each R² is independently H, —CH₂NHCONH₂, —CH₂NHCOOMe, —CH₂NHMe,—CH₂OPh, 2-CN, 4-CN, —C(O)OH, —CONHOH, —OCF2H, —PO₃H, —SO₃H, phenyl,pyridyl, imidazole or tetrazole. In some embodiments, the compounds offormulas I, Ia, Ia2, Ib and Ic are those wherein each R² isindependently C₁₋₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkylhydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)O^(2d), —C(O)OR^(2b), —C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —CN, -heterocycloalkyl, or aryl, wherein the arylgroups are optionally substituted with halogen. In some embodiments, thecompounds of formulas I, Ia, Ia2, Ib and Ic are those wherein each R² isH, Me, —Cl, —CH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂OH, —CH₂NH₂, —C(O)Me, —C(O)OH, —C(O)NH₂, —CN,morpoholine, 3,4-difluorophenyl or —SO₂NH₂. Alternatively, in thecompounds of formulas I, Ia2, Ib and Ic, two R² groups on adjacent ringatoms can be combined to form a 5-membered heterocycloalkyl.Alternatively, the compounds of formulas I, Ia, Ia2, Ib and Ic are thosewere two R² groups on adjacent ring atoms are combined to form a1,3-dioxole or 1-methylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione.

In some embodiments, the compounds of the present invention have thestructure:

In the compounds of formula Ia1, each R¹ is independently C₂₋₆ alkenyl,C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ heteroalkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl,C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆ alkylhydroxy, —OR^(2a),—NR^(2b)R^(2d), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)R^(1a), —C(O)R^(2d),—C(O)OR^(2a), C₁₋₆ alkyl-C(O)OR^(2b), —OC(O)R^(2b), —OC(O)OR^(2b),—C(O)NR^(2a)R^(2b), —C(O)N(OH)R^(2b), —NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2e), —NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(NR^(2b))NR^(2b)R^(2c),—C(O)NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SR^(2a),—SO₂R^(2b), —SO₂OR^(2b), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —NR^(2b)SO₂R^(2b),—P(O)(OR^(2b))₂, —B(OR^(2b)), —CN, —NO₂, —N₃, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-O-aryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, or heteroaryl-aryl, and wherein theheterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally substitutedwith 1 to 2 R^(2a) groups. Moreover, each of R^(2a), R^(2b), R^(2c) andR^(2d) are independently H or C₁₋₆ alkyl.

In the compounds of formula Ia1, ring A is phenyl, biphenyl or pyridyl.

In formula Ia1, the compounds are those wherein when ring A is phenyland at least one R¹ is —C(O)OH, then subscript n is 2 or 3.

In some embodiments, the compounds of formula Ia1 are those wherein eachR¹ is independently —C(O)R^(2d), —C(O)OR^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-C(O)OR^(2b),—NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SO₂OR^(2b),—SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —NR^(2b)SO₂R^(2b), or —CN.

In some embodiments, the compounds of formula Ia1 are those wherein eachR′ is independently —CH₂C(O)OH, —C(O)Me, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(O)OMe,—NHSO₂Me, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHMe, —SO₃H, —C(O)OH, or —CN.

In some embodiments, the compounds of formula Ia1 are those wherein ringA is phenyl, and subscript n is 1. In other embodiments, the compoundsof formula Ia1 are those wherein ring A is biphenyl or pyridyl, orsubscript n is 2. In some other embodiments, the compounds of formulaIa1 are those wherein ring A is biphenyl or pyridyl. In still otherembodiments, the compounds of formula Ia1 are those wherein subscript nis 2.

In some embodiments, the compounds of the present invention have thestructure:

In the compounds of formula Ia2, R¹ is C₁₋₆ alkyl or —C(O)OR^(2b), andR² is —CN or Ph.

In some embodiments, the compounds of the present invention have thestructure:

In the compounds of formula Ib, each R² is independently H, C₁₋₆haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)OR^(2b), —C(O)N(OH)R^(2b),C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—SO₂OR^(2b), —PO₃H, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, or C₁₋₆ alkyl-O-aryl.

Ring B of formula Ib is cyclohexyl, phenyl, imidazole, oxazole,thiazole, pyrimidine, or pyrazine. L¹ of formula Ib is a bond or —CH₂—.

The compounds of formula Ib are those wherein when R² is C₁-6alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), then one of R^(2b) and R^(2d) is C₁₋₆ alkyl; whenR² is —C(O)OH, then L¹ is —CH₂— or ring B is cyclohexyl, or both; whenR² is —CN, then L¹ is —CH₂— or ring B is cyclohexyl, or both; and whenring B is 2-thiazole, R² is unsubstituted phenyl.

In some embodiments, the compounds of formula Ib are those wherein eachR² is independently H, —CH₂NHCONH₂, —CH₂NHCOOMe, —CH₂NHMe, —CH₂OPh,2-CN, 4-CN, —C(O)OH, —CONHOH, —OCF2H, —PO₃H, —SO₃H, phenyl, pyridyl,imidazole or tetrazole.

In some embodiments, the compounds of formula Ib are those wherein eachR² is independently C₁₋₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkylhydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(0)R^(2d), —C(O)OR^(2b), —C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —CN, -heterocycloalkyl, or aryl, wherein the arylgroups are optionally substituted with halogen. Alternatively, two R²groups on adjacent ring atoms of formula Ib can be combined to form a5-membered heterocycloalkyl. Ring B of formula Ib is phenyl, thiazole orpyridyl. L¹ of formula Ib is a bond or —CH₂—. Moreover, the compounds offormula Ib are those wherein when R² is C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), thenboth of R^(2b) and R^(2d) are H; when R² is —C(O)OH, then L¹ is a bondand ring B is phenyl; when R² is —CN, then L¹ is a bond and ring B isphenyl; and when ring B is 2-thiazole, then R² is substituted phenyl.

In some embodiments, the compounds of formula Ib are those wherein eachR² is H, Me, —Cl, —CH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂OH, —CH₂NH₂, —C(O)Me, —C(O)OH,—C(O)NH₂, —CN, morpholine, 3,4-difluorophenyl or —SO₂NH₂. Alternatively,two R² groups on adjacent ring atoms are combined to form a 1,3-dioxoleor 1-methylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione.

In some embodiments, the compounds of the present invention have thestructure:

In the compounds of formula Ic, R¹ is —C(O)OH. Each R² of formula Ic isindependently —CN or —C(O)OH. Each of L¹ and L² in formula IC areindependently a bond, C₁₋₆ alkylene, C₂₋₆ alkenylene, —C(O)—, C₁₋₆alkylene-C(O)—, —C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-NH—, —NH—C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—,—NHC(O)—, —SO₂NH—, —NHSO₂—, or —NHC(O)NH—, wherein at least one of L¹and L² is —C(O)—, C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—, —C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-NH—, —NH—C₁₋₆alkylene-C(O)—, —NHC(O)—, —SO₂NH—, —NHSO₂—, or —NHC(O)NH—.Alternatively, L² is combined with R¹, or L¹ is combined with R², toform a 5-6 membered heterocycloalkyl with from 1 to 3 heteroatomsselected from N, O and S, or a 5-6 membered heteroaryl with from 1 to 3heteroatoms selected from N, O and S.

In some embodiments, the compounds of the present invention have thestructure:

In the compounds of formula Id, R^(1a) is —OR^(1b) or —NR^(1b)R^(1c).R^(1b) and R^(1c) of formula Id are each independently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl,C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, wherein thecycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl groups are optionallysubstituted with from 1 to 4R^(1d) groups. Each R^(1d) of formula ID isindependently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, or —NO₂.

In the compounds of formula Id, each R² is independently C₁₋₆ alkyl,C₁₋₆ alkoxy, halogen, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkylamine,C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆ alkyl-OH, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, heteroaryl-aryl, —OR^(2a),—NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)R^(2d), —C(O)OR^(2b), —OC(O)R^(2b),—C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c),—OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SO₂R^(2a), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —CN, —NO₂, or —N₃,wherein the heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionallysubstituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups. Alternatively, two R² groups onadjacent ring atoms are combined to form a 5 to 6 membered heterocyclicring having from 1 to 3 heteroatoms each independently N, O and S, andoptionally substituted with from 1 to 3 groups of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl or oxo.

In the compounds of formula Id, each R^(2a) is independently H, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl orC₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, optionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups.Each R^(2b) and R^(2c) of formula Id is independently H or C₁₋₆ alkyl.Each R^(2d) of formula Id is independently H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, cycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl or C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, eachoptionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups.

In the compounds of formula Id, R⁴ is independently C₁₋₆ alkyl, halogen,C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, OH, —CO₂H, or —NO₂.

In the compounds of formula Id, L¹ is a bond, C₁₋₆ alkylene, —C(O)—,—C₁₋₆ alkylene-NH—, —C₁₋₆ alkylene-NHC(O)—, or heteroarylene.

In the compounds of formula Id, X is —CH— or —N—.

In some embodiments, the compounds of formula Id are those wherein eachR² is independently C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, halogen, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl,C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆ alkyl-OH, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, heteroaryl-aryl, —OR^(2a),—NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)R^(2d), —OC(O)R^(2b), —C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—SO₂R^(2a), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —CN, —NO₂, or —N₃, wherein theheterocycloalkyl, and aryl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 2R^(2b) groups, such that when R² is —CN, then subscript m is 1, R^(1a)is OH, R⁴ is H, and L¹ is a bond.

In some embodiments, the compounds of formula Id are those wherein eachR² is independently C₁₋₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN,C₁₋₆ alkyl-OH, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-heteroaryl, heteroaryl-aryl, —OR^(2a), —NR^(2b)R^(2d),—C(O)R^(2d), —OC(O)R^(2b), —C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SO₂R^(2a), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d),—CN, —NO₂, and —N₃, wherein the heterocycloalkyl, and aryl groups areoptionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups; and L¹ is a bond. Thecompounds of formula Id are those wherein when R² is —CN, then subscriptm is 1, R^(1a) is OH, R⁴ is H, and L¹ is a bond. In other embodiments,when two R² groups are present on adjacent ring atoms, the R² groups arenot combined.

In some embodiments, the compound of the present invention has thestructure:

In some embodiments, the compound of the present invention has thestructure:

In some embodiments, the compound of the present invention has thestructure:

In some embodiments, the compound of the present invention has thestructure:

In some embodiments, the compound of the present invention has thestructure:

In some embodiments, the compound of the present invention has thestructure:

In some embodiments, the compound of the present invention has thestructure:

In some embodiments, each R² is C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-OH, C₁₋₆alkylamine, halogen, phenyl, —NO₂, —CO₂H, or —CN.

In some embodiments, the compound of the present invention is:

In some embodiments, the compound of the present invention is:

In some embodiments, the compound of the present invention is:

In some embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of thestructure:

In some embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of thestructure:

In some embodiments, the compound of the present invention is:

As used herein, the term “salt” refers to acid or base salts of thecompounds used in the methods of the present invention. Illustrativeexamples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are mineral acid(hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, and the like)salts, organic acid (acetic acid, propionic acid, glutamic acid, citricacid and the like) salts, quaternary ammonium (methyl iodide, ethyliodide, and the like) salts. It is understood that the pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts are non-toxic. Additional information on suitablepharmaceutically acceptable salts can be found in Remington'sPharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa.,1985, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the acidic compounds of the presentinvention are salts formed with bases, namely cationic salts such asalkali and alkaline earth metal salts, such as sodium, lithium,potassium, calcium, magnesium, as well as ammonium salts, such asammonium, trimethyl-ammonium, diethylammonium, andtris-(hydroxymethyl)-methyl-ammonium salts.

Similarly acid addition salts, such as of mineral acids, organiccarboxylic and organic sulfonic acids, e.g., hydrochloric acid,methanesulfonic acid, maleic acid, are also possible provided a basicgroup, such as pyridyl, constitutes part of the structure.

The neutral forms of the compounds may be regenerated by contacting thesalt with a base or acid and isolating the parent compound in theconventional manner. The parent form of the compound differs from thevarious salt forms in certain physical properties, such as solubility inpolar solvents, but otherwise the salts are equivalent to the parentform of the compound for the purposes of the present invention.

Certain compounds of the present invention possess asymmetric carbonatoms (optical centers) or double bonds; the racemates, diastereomers,geometric isomers and individual isomers are all intended to beencompassed within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention also includes isotopically-labeled compounds ofthe present invention, wherein one or more atoms are replaced by one ormore atoms having specific atomic mass or mass numbers. Examples ofisotopes that can be incorporated into compounds of the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen,oxygen, fluorine, sulfur, and chlorine (such as ²H, ³H, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N,¹⁸O ¹⁷O, ¹⁸F, ³⁵S and ³⁶Cl). Isotopically-labeled compounds of thepresent invention are useful in assays of the tissue distribution of thecompounds and their prodrugs and metabolites; preferred isotopes forsuch assays include ³H and ¹⁴C. In addition, in certain circumstancessubstitution with heavier isotopes, such as deuterium (²H or D), canprovide increased metabolic stability, which offers therapeuticadvantages such as increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosagerequirements. Isotopically-labeled compounds of this invention cangenerally be prepared according to the methods described herein bysubstituting an isotopically-labeled reagent for a non-isotopicallylabeled reagent.

The compounds of the present invention can be prepared by a variety ofmethods known to one of skill in the art. Exemplary methods of makingthe compounds are described in Example 1. The methods of Example 1involve first forming an amide by reaction of phthalic anhydride and asuitable amine, such as a substituted aniline. The available carboxylicacid can then be converted to an amide or ester using methods known toone of skill in the art, such as peptide coupling chemistry orcarbodiimide chemistry, respectively.

The compounds of the present invention can also be obtained from theMaybridge library from The Scripps Research Institute.

IV. Assay for Identifying Compounds

The compounds of the present invention were identified using a varietyof assays. The initial screen identified compounds that stimulated humanmesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to develop into chondrocyte nodules.Additional assays were performed to determine toxicity and specificityof chondrocyte differentiation.

V. Method of Ameliorating Arthritis or Joint Injury

The present invention provides a method of ameliorating arthritis orjoint injury in a mammal, the method including administering to a jointof the mammal a composition having a therapeutically effective amount ofa compound of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the mammal does not have, but is at increased riskfor, arthritis or joint injury.

It is contemplated that the compounds, compositions, and methods of thepresent invention may be used to ameliorate any type of arthritis orjoint injury. It is further contemplated that the compounds,compositions, and methods of the present invention may be used toameliorate various cartilagenous disorders. In some embodiments, thecompounds and compositions of the present invention are administered toprevent arthritis or joint injury, for example where there is a geneticor family history of arthritis or joint injury or prior or during jointsurgery or other circumstances where there is an increased risk ofarthritis or joint injury. Exemplary conditions or disorders to betreated or prevented with the compounds, compositions, and methods ofthe invention, include, but are not limited to systemic rheumatoidarthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis, osteoarthritis, degenerative discdisease, spondyloarthropathies, and systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Insome embodiments of the invention, the compounds, compositions, andmethods of the present invention may be used to treat osteoarthritis. Insome embodiments, the arthritis can be osteoarthritis, trauma arthritis,degenerative disc disease, dupuytren disease, or tendon disease.

In some embodiments, the compounds, compositions, and methods of thepresent invention provide a method for stimulating chondrocyteproliferation and cartilage production in cartilagenous tissues thathave been damaged due to traumatic injury or chondropathy. Traumaticinjury can include, but is not limited to, blunt trauma to the joint, ordamage to ligaments such as tearing the anterior cruciate ligament,medial collateral ligament, or a miniscal tear. Examples of tissues thatexhibit articulated surfaces, and thus are particularly susceptible totreatment include, but are not limited to, spine, shoulder, elbow,wrist, joints of the fingers, hip, knee, ankle, and the joints of thefeet. Examples of diseases that may benefit from treatment includeosteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, other autoimmune diseases, orosteochondritis dessicans. In addition, cartilage malformation is oftenseen in forms of dwarfism in humans suggesting that the compounds,compositions, and methods would be useful in these patients.

It is contemplated that the compounds, compositions, and methods of thepresent invention may be used to treat a mammal. As used herein a“mammal” refers to any mammal classified as a mammal, including humans,domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sports or pet animals, such ascattle (e.g. cows), horses, dogs, sheep, pigs, rabbits, goats, cats,etc. In some embodiments of the invention, the mammal is a human. Insome embodiments, the mammal can be a human, a dog, a horse or a cat.

The compounds and compositions of the present invention can be used incombination with other components suitable for ameliorating arthritis orjoint injury. In some embodiments, the composition can also include anangiopoietin-like 3 protein (ANGPTL3) or chondrogenic variant thereof,oral salmon calcitonin, SD-6010 (iNOS inhibitor), vitamin D3(choliecalciferol), collagen hydrolyzate, FGF18, BMP7, avocado soyunsaponifiables (ASU) or hyaluronic acid. ANGPTL3 is described in moredetail in WO2011/008773 (incorporated herein in its entirety).

VI. Method of Inducing Differentiation of MSCs into Chondrocytes

The compounds of the present invention are also useful for inducingdifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into chondrocytes. Insome embodiments, the present invention provides a method of inducingdifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes, the methodincluding contacting mesenchymal stem cells with a sufficient amount ofa compound of the present invention, thereby inducing differentiation ofthe stem cells into chondrocytes.

MSCs are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into severaldifferent types of cells including, but not limited to, osteoblasts,chondrocytes and adipocytes. Differentiation is the process by which aspecialized cell type is formed from a less specialized cell type, forexample, a chondrocyte from a MSC. In some embodiments, the method isperformed in vitro. In some embodiments, the method is performed in vivoin a mammal and the stem cells are present in the mammal. In someembodiments, the mammal is a human, a dog, a horse or a cat.

Inducing differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes can be accomplishedusing any suitable amount of a compound of the present invention. Insome embodiments, the compound of the present invention can be presentin an amount from about 0.1 mg to about 10000 mg, e.g., 1.0 mg to 1000mg, e.g., 10 mg to 500 mg, according to the particular application andpotency of the active component. In some embodiments, the compound ofthe present invention can be present in a concentration of 0.1 μM 100 μMin an intra-articular injection to the knee.

VII. Pharmaceutical Compositions

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceuticalcomposition having a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound ofthe present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceuticalcomposition formulated for intra-articular delivery, the compositionhaving a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound of the presentinvention and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

The compounds and compositions of the present invention can be used incombination with other components suitable for formulation forintra-articular delivery. In some embodiments, the composition can alsoinclude an angiopoietin-like 3 protein (ANGPTL3) or chondrogenic variantthereof, oral salmon calcitonin, SD-6010 (iNOS inhibitor), vitamin D3(choliecalciferol), collagen hydrolyzate, FGF18, BMP7, avocado soyunsaponifiables (ASU) or hyaluronic acid. ANGPTL3 is described in moredetail in WO/2011/008773 (incorporated herein in its entirety).

Liquid form preparations include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions,for example, water or water/propylene glycol solutions. For injection,liquid preparations can be formulated in solution in aqueouspolyethylene glycol solution.

Aqueous solutions suitable for use can be prepared by dissolving theactive component in water and adding suitable colorants, stabilizers,and thickening agents as desired. Aqueous suspensions suitable for usecan be made by dispersing the finely divided active component in waterwith viscous material, such as natural or synthetic gums, resins,methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gumtragacanth and gum acacia, and dispersing or wetting agents such as anaturally occurring phosphatide (e.g., lecithin), a condensation productof an alkylene oxide with a fatty acid (e.g., polyoxyethylene stearate),a condensation product of ethylene oxide with a long chain aliphaticalcohol (e.g., heptadecaethylene oxycetanol), a condensation product ofethylene oxide with a partial ester derived from a fatty acid and ahexitol (e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitol mono-oleate), or a condensationproduct of ethylene oxide with a partial ester derived from fatty acidand a hexitol anhydride (e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate).The aqueous suspension can also contain one or more preservatives suchas ethyl or n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, one or more coloring agents, oneor more flavoring agents and one or more sweetening agents, such assucrose, aspartame or saccharin. Formulations can be adjusted forosmolarity.

The compounds and compositions of the present invention can be appliedby direct injection into the synovial fluid of the joint, systemicadministration (oral or intravenously) or directly into the cartilagedefect, either alone or complexed with a suitable carrier for extendedrelease of protein. The compounds, compositions, and methods of thepresent invention can also be used to expand chondrocyte populations inculture for autogenous or allogenic chondrocyte transplantation. Thetransplantation can be optionally administered with concurrent treatmentconsisting of administration of the compounds and compositions of thepresent invention. In these procedures, for example, chondrocytes can beharvested arthroscopically from an uninjured minor load-bearing area ofthe damaged joint, and can be cultured in the presence of the compoundsand compositions of the present invention to increase the number ofcells prior to transplantation. The expanded cultures will then beadmixed with the compounds and compositions of the present invention,and placed in the joint space or directly into the defect. The compoundsand compositions of the present invention can be used in combinationwith periosteal or perichondrial grafts that contain cells that can formcartilage and/or help to hold the transplanted chondrocytes or theirprecursor cells in place. The compounds and compositions of the presentinvention can be used to repair cartilage damage in conjunction withlavage of the joint, stimulation of bone marrow, abrasion arthroplasty,subchondral drilling, or microfracture of the subchondral bone.Additionally, after the growth of cartilage due to the administration ofthe compounds and compositions of the present invention, additionalsurgical treatment may be necessary to suitably contour the newly formedcartilage surface. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositioncan be formulated for intra-articular delivery.

The pharmaceutical formulations of the invention can be provided as asalt and can be formed with many acids, including but not limited tohydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, etc.Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protonic solvents thatare the corresponding free base forms.

The pharmaceutical preparation is preferably in unit dosage form. Insuch form the preparation is subdivided into unit doses containingappropriate quantities of the active component. The unit dosage form canbe a packaged preparation, the package containing discrete quantities ofpreparation, such as packeted tablets, capsules, and powders in vials orampoules.

The quantity of active component in a unit dose preparation can bevaried or adjusted into an effective dosage. In some embodiments, thedosage range can be from 0.1 mg to 10000 mg, e.g., 1.0 mg to 1000 mg,e.g., 10 mg to 500 mg, according to the particular application and thepotency of the active component. The composition can, if desired, alsocontain other compatible therapeutic agents.

In some embodiments, co-administration includes administering one activeagent within 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, or 24 hours of a secondactive agent. Co-administration includes administering two active agentssimultaneously, approximately simultaneously (e.g., within about 1, 5,10, 15, 20, or 30 minutes of each other), or sequentially in any order.In some embodiments, co-administration can be accomplished byco-formulation, i.e., preparing a single pharmaceutical compositionincluding both active agents. In other embodiments, the active agentscan be formulated separately. In another embodiment, the active and/oradjunctive agents may be linked or conjugated to one another.

VIII. Examples

Example 1 Compound Preparation

NMR spectra were recorded with a Bruker AV 400 spectrometer in thesolvents indicated CDCl₃ and DMSO-d₆; chemical shifts (δ) are given inppm relative to TMS, coupling constants (J) in Hertz. The solventsignals were used as references and the chemical shifts converted to theTMS scale (CDCl₃: δC=77.0 ppm; residual CHCl₃ in CDCl₃: δH=7.24 ppm;DMSO-d₆: δC=39.5 ppm; residual DMSO in DMSO-d₆: δH=2.5 ppm). The dataare reported as follows: chemical shift, intergration, multiplicity (sfor singlet, d for doublet, t for triplet and m for multiplet). Theassignments are based upon 1D and 2D spectra recorded using thefollowing pulse sequences from the Bruker standard pulse programlibrary: DEPT; COSY (cosygs and cosydqtp); HSQC (invietgssi) optimizedfor ¹J(C,H)=145 Hz; HMBC (inv4gslplrnd) for correlations via ^(n)J(C,H);HSQC-TOCSY (invietgsml) using an MLEV17 mixing time of 120 ms. FinniganMAT 8200 (70 eV), ESI-MS: Finnigan MAT 95, accurate mass determination.Unless stated otherwise, all commercially available compounds (Fluka,Lancaster, Aldrich) were used as received. Solvents were purchased fromVWR and Fisher. Reactions were carried out in oven-dried glassware underargon atmosphere, unless otherwise noted. Flash chromatography: Mercksilica gel 60 (230-400 mesh).

General Methods

The following methods can be used to prepare the compounds of thepresent invention. Additional methods for making selected compounds ofthe present invention are provided below.

General Protocol Starting from Phthalic Anhydride.

To a solution of phthalic anhydride (1.05 equiv) in a 3:1 mixture ofchloroform/THF (0.05 M concentration) was added the corresponding amine(R/ArNH₂, 1 equiv). The mixture was stirred overnight at roomtemperature. The reaction mixture was washed with brine (×2). Theaqueous solution was then extracted with ethyl acetate (×3) and driedover sodium sulfate. Combined organic phases were concentrated underreduced pressure and adsorbed on silica gel to be purified by flashchromatography to afford the desired amide.

General Protocol for the Amide Bond Formation. To a solution of acid anddiisopropylethylamine (DIEA, 2.2 equiv) in DMF (0.1 M concentration) at0° C. was added the corresponding amine (R¹NH₂, 1.2 equiv). The mixturewas stirred for 30 min and PyBOP (1.1 equiv) was added and stirred atroom temperature for 6 h. The slurry reaction mixture was washed withbrine (×5 to assure complete removal of DMSO; volume of brine ˜10 timesvolume of DMSO). The aqueous solution was then extracted with ethylacetate (×3) and dried over sodium sulfate. Combined organic phases wereconcentrated under reduced pressure and adsorbed on silica gel to bepurified by flash chromatography to afford the desired amide.

General Protocol for the Ester Bond Formation. DCC (0.9 equiv) and DMAP(0.2 equiv) were added to a solution of the selected alcohol (1.2 equiv)in CH₂Cl₂/DMSO (2:1; 0.1 M) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred for 30 minbefore acid (1 equiv) was introduced and stirring continued for 12 h atambient temperature. For work up, all volatile materials wereevaporated, the product adsorbed on silica and purified by flashchromatography (hexanes/ethyl acetate) to give the desired product(yield ˜75%).

AKT

AKT—AKT was recrystallized from of CHCl₃/MeOH (2:1). ¹H NMR (400 MHz,(CD₃)₂SO) δ 7.36 (tt, J=7.4, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (tt, J=7.5, 1.2 Hz, 2H),7.59 (m, 2H), 7.66 (m, 5H), 7.81 (dt, J=6.7, 1.7 Hz, 2H), 7.91 (dd,J=7.3, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 10.45 (brs, 1H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO) δ163.9, 139.0, 136.2, 133.1, 132.4, 129.1, 128.5, 120.5, 118.3, 113.8,20.5; HRMS (ESI): 317.1130 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₂₀H₁₅NO₃+H+] 318.1125.

AKT—Me

AKT—Me. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH 3/1): 0.4. The desired AKT-Me derivative wasobtained as light yellow solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO) δ 2.66 (s,3H), 7.49 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.61 (m, 5H), 7.83 (dm, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.92(dm, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.13 (dd, J=8.7, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 10.71 (brs, 1H) HRMS(ESI): 332.1277 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₂₁H₁₈NO₃+H+] 332.1281.

AKT-CH₂OH

2-((4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid. The desiredderivative was obtained as brown solid after purification on silica. Rf(CHCl₃/MeOH: 9/1): 0.3. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 4.32 (d, J=1.6 Hz,2H), 6.6 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (dd, J=8.6, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.39 (d, J=2.3Hz, 1H), 7.54 (dt, J=6.1, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (dt, J=7.6, 1.3 Hz, 1H),7.63 (dt, J=7.5, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (dd, J=7.6, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.32 (m,1H), 9.08 (m, 1H), 9.99 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 272.0931 [M+H+]; calcdfor [C₁₄H₁₁NO₄+H+] 272.0923.

AKT13 Biotin

AKT—Biotine. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH 10/1): 0.25. The desired AKT—Biotinederivative was obtained white yellow solid. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO):δ 1.22 (m, 2H), 1.53 (m, 2H), 2.60 (dm, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), 2.74 (d, J=2.1Hz, 2H), 2.85 (m, 2H), 3.03 (m, 1H), 3.21 (m, 1H), 3.30 (d, J=6.8 Hz,2H), 3.51 (m, 8H), 3.98 (m, 2H), 4.12 (ddm, J=8.7, 2.1 Hz, 2H), 6.2(brs, 2H), 6.78 (dd, J=8.7, 2.3 Hz, 2H), 7.05 (m, 1H), 7.50 (m, 4H),7.73 (m, 1H), 7.82 (m, 1H), 8.1 (brs, 1H—NH), 8.2 (brs, 1H—NH), 9.2(brs, 1H—NH). HRMS (ESI): 627.2754 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₃₁H₄₁N₅O₇S+H+]627.2757.

AKT13 Azide

AKT—Azide. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH 20/1): 0.33. The desired AKT-azide derivativewas obtained as light yellow oil. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 1.76 (m,3H), 1.84 (m, 2H), 2.14 (m, 2H), 2.20 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), 2.46 (m, 1H),2.59 (d, J=12.5 Hz, 1H), 2.82 (dd, J=12.5, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 3.03 (m, 2H),3.12 (m, 2H), 3.41 (m, 1H), 4.13 (ddd, J=7.4, 6.1, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 4.32(dd, J=7.5, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 6.36 (brs, 1H—NH), 6.42 (brs, 1H—NH), 7.43 (s,1H), 7.48 (m, 2H), 7.75 (m, 3H), 7.95 (m, 1H), 7.96 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H),8.17 (brs, 1H—NH), 8.18 (brs, 1H—NH), 8.29 (brs, 1H—NH), 8.3 (brs,1H—NH). HRMS (ESI): 640.2293 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₂₈H₃₃N₉O₇S+H+]640.2296.

AKT—CN; LK3

AKT—CN; LK3. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH 9/1): 0.4. The desired AKT-CN derivative wasobtained as brown solid. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.57 (m, 2H),7.59 (m, 1H), 7.61 (dt, J=7.6, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (dt, J=7.5, 1.2 Hz,1H), 7.92 (m, 1H), 8.17 (m, 1H), 10.73 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 266.0695[M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₀N₂O₃+H+] 266.0691.

LK-14b

LK-14b, N-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-N-isobutylphthalamide Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH15/1): 0.3. The desired AKT-isopropylamine derivative was obtained asbrown solid. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 0.93 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.94(d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H), 1.77 (m, 1H), 3.04 (dd, J=6.65, 5.59 Hz, 2H), 7.31(dt, J=7.3, 1.59 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (dt, J=7.3, 1.48 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (dd,J=7.51, 1.09 Hz, 1H), 7.49 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.61 (m, 2H), 7.67 (dd,J=7.51, 1.18 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (dm, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.92 (dm, J=8.7 Hz, 2H),8.13 (dd, J=8.7, 5.6 Hz, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 373.1928 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₂₄H₂₄N₂O₂+H+] 373.1916.

LK-23

LK-23, 2-(methylcarbamoyl)benzoic acid. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH 15/1): 0.3. Thedesired derivative was obtained as brown solid. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz,(CD₃)₂SO): δ 2.97 (s, 3H), 7.63 (m, 2H), 7.98 (m, 2H), 9.58 (brs, 1H).HRMS (ESI): 189.0672 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₉H₉NO₃+H+] 180.0661.

LK-19b

LK-19b, 2-(ethylcarbamoyl)benzoic acid. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH 15/1): 0.3. Thedesired derivative was obtained as brown solid. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz,(CD₃)₂SO): δ 1.07 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 3H), 3.19 (q, J=6.8 Hz, 2H), 7.39 (m,2H), 7.52 (m, 2H), 9.58 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 194.0825 [M+H+]; calcdfor [C₁₀H₁₁NO₃+H+] 194.0817.

LK-62

LK-62, 2-(benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylcarbamoyl)benzoic acid. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH12/1): 0.5. The desired derivative was obtained as yellow powder. ¹H-NMR(400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 6.87 (m, 1H), 6.9 (m, 1H), 7.02 (d, J=1.3 Hz,1H), 7.36 (m, 2H), 7.52 (dd, J=7.6, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (dd, J=7.2, 1.3Hz, 1H), 10.56 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 286.0725 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₅H₁₁NO₅+H+] 286.0715.

LK-60

LK-60, 2-(2-carboxybenzamido)-5-methylbenzoic acid. The desiredderivative was obtained as white powder, recrystallized out fromCHCl₃/MeOH (1:1). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 2.40 (s, 3H), 7.03 (dd,J=8.1, 1.02 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (m, 3H), 7.86 (dd, J=6.38, 1.02 Hz, 1H), 7.92(d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (s, 1H), 11.59 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 300.0881[M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₃NO₅+H+] 300.0872.

LK-63

LK-63, 4-(2-carboxybenzamido)-2-chlorobenzoic acid. The desiredderivative was obtained as white powder. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ7.46 (m, 3H), 7.75 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, J=9.03 Hz, 1H), 8.30 (d,J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 8.42 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 9.15 (brs, —NH, 1H), 10.59 (brs,1H), 11.0 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 320.0323 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₅H₁₀ClNO₅+H+] 320.0326.

LK-57

LK-57, 2-((5-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid. Thedesired derivative was obtained as yellow powder, recrystallized outfrom CHCl₃/MeOH (1:1). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.52-7.54 (m, 2H),7.57 (m, 1H), 7.96 (dm, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.97 (m, 1H), 7.98 (d, J=2.8 Hz,1H), 7.99 (m, 1H), 8.01 (dd, J=5.6, 2.8 Hz, 2H), 10.81 (brs, 1H). HRMS(ESI): 326.0594 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₁H₃O₃S+H+] 326.0599.

L2

L2, 2-((4-methoxyphenyl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid. The desired derivativewas obtained as colorless oil, Rf(CHCl₃/MeOH 9/1): 0.3. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz,(CD₃)₂SO): δ 3.34 (s, 2H), 7.54 (m, 1H), 7.6 (m, 3H), 7.64 (dt, J=7.5,1.3 Hz, 1H), 7.85 (dd, J=7.6, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 10.2 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI):272.0929 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₃NO₄+H+] 272.0923.

L4

L4, 2-((4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid. The desiredderivative was obtained as yellowish oil, Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH 9/1): 0.3.¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.45 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (t, J=7.6 Hz,1H), 7.61 (m, 2H), 7.69 (dd, J=14.8, 11.6 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (m, 2H), 7.91(dd, J=7.7, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 10.12 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 310.0687 [M+H+];calcd for [C₁₅H₁₆FNO₃+H+] 310.0691.

L11a

L11a, 2-((4-iodophenyl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid. The desired derivativewas obtained as bright yellow solid after purification on silica. Rf(CHCl₃/MeOH 11/1): 0.3. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.53 (m, 5H), 7.66(dt, J=11.6, 2.4 Hz, 2H), 7.80 (m, 1H), 11.2 (brs, 1H). ¹³C-NMR (100MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): 86.3, 121.5, 128.4, 129.4, 129.9, 130.1, 134.3, 139.7,167.8, 169.05. HRMS (ESI): 367.8798 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₄H₁₀INO₃+H+]367.8794.

L15

LK15, 2-((4-(3-(pyridin-2-yl)propyl)phenyl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid. Thedesired derivative was obtained as brown powder after purification onsilica. Rf (CHCl3/MeOH 15/1): 0.2. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 2.82(t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.99 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 2H), 3.44 (tt, J=7.2, 6.5 Hz, 2H),7.32 (m, 2H), 7.55 (dd, J=16.5, 7.3 Hz, 2H), 7.70 (m, 2H), 8.41 (dd,J=4.8, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.45 (dd, J=4.4, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.47 (brs, NH—, 1H).¹³C-NMR (100 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): 30, 32.1, 41.3, 123.8, 127.5, 128.7, 130.0,131.3, 134.4, 136.3, 145, 148.8, 165.1, 167.2. HRMS (ESI): 361.1559[M+H+]; calcd for [C₂₂H₂₀N₂O₃+H+] 361.1552.

L59

LK59, 2-((5-nitropyridin-2-yl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid. The desiredderivative was obtained as light yellow powder after purification onsilica. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH 9/1): 0.3. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.04 (d,J=4.4 Hz, 1H), 7.95 (m, 2H), 7.96 (dd, J=16.1, 8.3 Hz, 1H), 8.49 (m,2H), 8.71 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 10.92 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 288.0616[M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₃H₉NO₅+H+] 288.0620.

L9

L9, 2-(quinolin-6-ylcarbamoyl)benzoic acid. The desired derivative wasobtained as light brown powder after purification on silica. Rf(CHCl₃/MeOH 8/1): 0.3. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.55 (dd, J=8.5,4.1 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (m, 1H), 7.72 (m, 2H), 7.80 (m, 2H), 7.94 (m, 2H),8.65 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 8.93 (dd, J=4.1, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 10.54 (brs, 1H).HRMS (ESI): 293.0929 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₇H₁₂N₂O₃+H+] 293.0926.

L7

L7, 2-(2-carbamoylbenzamido)benzoic acid. The desired derivative wasobtained as light white solid after purification on silica. Rf(CHCl₃/MeOH 10/1): 0.25. ¹11-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.57 (m, 1H),7.59 (m, 1H), 7.62 (m, 2H), 7.68 (m, 1H), 7.73 (brs, 2H), 7.85 (m, 1H),8.33 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 8.59 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 12.22 (brs, 1H). HRMS(ESI): 285.0882 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₂N₂O₄+H+] 285.0875.

LK6

LK6, 2-((4-morpholinophenyl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid. The desiredderivative was obtained as light blue solid after purification onsilica. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH 6/1): 0.4. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 3.05(dd, J=4.8, 4.7 Hz, 2H), 3.74 (dd, J=5.1, 4.5 Hz, 2H), 6.92 (dm, J=9.09Hz, 2H), 7.51-7.57 (m, 4H), 7.64 (dt, J=7.5, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.85 (dd,J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 10.12 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 327.1351 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₈H₁₉N₃O₃+H+] 327.1345.

LK17b

LK17b, 2-((4-(phenylamino)phenyl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid. The desiredderivative was obtained as white powder after purification on silica. Rf(CHCl₃/MeOH 9/1): 0.3. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 6.77 (tt, J=7.3,1.1 Hz, 2H), 7.02 (ddm, J=15.8, 8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.20 (tt, J=8.2, 1.2 Hz,2H), 7.54 (dt, J=7.5, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (m, 4H), 7.65 (dt, J=7.5, 1.4Hz, 1H), 7.86 (dd, J=1.2 Hz, 1H), 8.07 (brs, NH—, 1H), 10.2 (brs, 1H).HRMS (ESI): 333.1241 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₂₀H₁₆N₃O₂+H+] 333.1239.

L11b

L11b, (S)—N-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-2-(1-oxoisoindolin-2-yl)propanamide.The desired derivative was obtained as yellow powder after purificationon silica. Rf (AcOEt/Hex.: 3/2): 0.2. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 2.14(d, J=7.3 Hz, 3H), 4.63 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H), 4.75 (d, J=17 Hz, 1H), 5.10(dd, J=7.3, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (m, 1H), 7.62 (m, 2H), 7.7 (d, J=7.5 Hz,1H), 7.9 (dd, J=8.9, 2.6 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 8.4 (d, J=8.9Hz, 1H), 10.96 (brs, NH—, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 316.0859 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₆H₁₄ClN₃O₂+H+] 316.0853.

LK19b

LK19b, 2-(ethylcarbamoyl)benzoic acid. The desired derivative wasobtained as bright yellow oil after purification on silica. Rf(CHCl₃/MeOH: 12/1): 0.3. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 1.09 (t, J=7.2Hz, 3H), 3.35 (brs, 1H), 3.2 (dq, J=15.4, 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.30 (m, 2H),7.58 (m, 2H). HRMS (ESI): 194.0821 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₀H₁₁NO₃+H+]194.0817.

L11c

L11c, 2-((4-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenyl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid. The desiredderivative was obtained as bright yellow oil after purification onsilica. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH: 12/1): 0.3. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 2.79(dd, J=7.0, 6.9 Hz, 2H), 3.65 (dd, J=7.0, 6.9 Hz, 2H), 7.27 (dt, J=9.1,2.2 Hz, 2H), 7.53 (dd, J=7.5, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 7.56-7.6 (m, 3H), 7.64 (dt,J=7.5, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 7.86 (dd, J=7.62, 1.05 Hz, 1H), 10.18 (brs, 1H).HRMS (ESI): 286.1073 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₅NO₄+H+] 286.1079.

2-((4-(3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl)carbamoyl)benzoic Acid

The desired derivative was obtained as bright yellow oil afterpurification on silica. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH: 12/1): 0.3. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz,(CD₃)₂SO): δ 0.98 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 1.72 (sext., J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 3.9 (d,J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 6.8 (dt, J=9.0, 2.1 Hz, 2H), 7.52 (dd, J=7.5, 1.14 Hz,2H), 7.56-7.59 (m, 3H), 7.65 (td, J=7.5, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 7.86 (dd, J=7.6,1.2 Hz, 1H), 10.17 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 300.1241 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₇H₁₇NO₄+H+] 300.1236.

LK55

2-((4-(3-(aminomethyl)phenyl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid. The desiredderivative was obtained as light yellow oil after purification onsilica. Rf (CHCl₃/MeOH: 15/1): 0.3. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 2.51(brt, J=1.2 Hz, 2H), 6.87 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (dd, J=8.0, 7.6 Hz,1H), 7.50 (m, 3H), 7.56 (m, 2H), 7.77 (dd, J=7.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 10.2(brs, 1H), 11.16 (brs, NH₂—, 2H). HRMS (ESI): 271.1080 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₅H₁₄N₂O₃+H+] 271.1083.

LK55b

Methyl 2-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylcarbamoyl)benzoate. The desired derivativewas obtained as light yellow oil after purification on silica. RfCHCl₃/MeOH: 8/1): 0.3. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 2.33 (s, 3H), 6.58(d, J=7.5 HZ, 1H), 7.19 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.47-7.53 (m, 4H), 7.54 (m,2H), 7.63 (dm, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.80 (dd, J=8.5, 1.4 Hz, 2H). HRMS (ESI):332.1781 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₂₁H₁₇NO₃+H+] 332.1787.

LK22b

2-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylcarbamoyl)-5-hydroxybenzoic acid. The desiredderivative was obtained as a grey solid after purification on silica. Rf(CHCl₃/MeOH: 9/1): 0.2. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.29 (d, J=8.2 Hz,1H), 7.42 (m, 2H), 7.51 (m, 3H), 7.68 (m, 1H), 7.70 (m, 2H), 7.80 (dt,J=8.7, 2.1 Hz, 2H), 7.98 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 334.1082 [M+H+];calcd for [C₂₀H₁₅NO₄+H+] 334.1079.

LK5

2-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylcarbamoyl)-5-fluorobenzoic acid. The desiredderivative was obtained as a grey solid after purification on silica. Rf(CHCl₃/MeOH: 9/1): 0.4. ¹11-NMR (400 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.34 (tt, J=7.3,1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.41-7.49 (m, 4H), 7.77 (dm, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.99 (dd,J=8.7, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 10.49 (brs, 1H). HRMS (ESI): 336.1041 [M+H+]; calcdfor [C₂₀H₁₄FNO₃+H+] 336.1036.

A01

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 11.08 (s, 1H), 8.04 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H),7.87-7.99 (m, 6H), 7.82 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H). MS (ESI): 247.90 [M+H+];calcd for [C₁₅H₉N₃O+H+] 248.08.

A06

Prepared from Homophthalic anhydride+4-aminobenzonitrile under standardconditions. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 10.55 (s, 1H), 7.91 (d, J=6.6Hz, 1H), 7.77 (m, 4H), 7.55 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (m, 2H), 4.14 (s,2H). MS (ESI): 280.90 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₂N₂O₃+H+] 281.09.

A09

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 8.00 (m, 2H), 7.83 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.72(t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (m, 2H), 6.41 (d, J=8.7Hz, 2H), 1.95 (s, 3H). MS (ESI): 265.10 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₆H₁₂N₂O₂+H+] 265.10.

A11

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 10.79 (s, 1H), 9.89 (s, 1H), 7.93 (m, 3H),7.83 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H),7.22 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 3.64 (s, 3H). MS (ESI): 317.95 [M+Na+]; calcdfor [C₁₆H₁₃N₃O₃+Na+] 318.09.

A12

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 10.78 (s, 1H), 9.04 (s, 1H), 8.17 (d,J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.82-7.95 (m, 4H), 7.67 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (t, J=7.8Hz, 1H), 7.07 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.41 (brs, 2H). MS (ESI): 303.05[M+Na+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₂N₄O₂+Na+] 303.09.

A13

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 10.91 (brs, 1H), 9.88 (brs, 1H), 7.82-7.94(m, 5H), 7.52 (m, 2H), 7.26 (brs, 1H), 3.07 (s, 3H). HRMS (ESI):316.0750 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₃N₃O₃+H+] 316.0768.

A22

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.82-7.89 (m, 5H), 7.66 (m, 1H), 7.56 (m,2H). MS (ESI): 303.05 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₄S+H+] 303.04.

A23

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 11.03 (s, 1H), 8.00 (m, 1H), 7.90 (m, 4H),7.75 (m, 3H), 7.18 (s, 2H). MS (ESI): 323.90 [M+Na+]; calcd for[C₁₄H₁₁N₃O₃S+Na+] 324.04.

A24

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 10.96 (s, 1H), 7.68-7.92 (m, 8H), 6.99 (m,1H). MS (ESI): 338.06 [M+Na+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₃N₃O₃S+Na+] 337.95.

B02

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃OD): δ 7.99 (s, 1H), 7.85-7.92 (m, 4H), 7.70 (d,J=6.3 Hz, 2H). MS (ESI): 290.00 [M−1]; calcd for [C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₄S−1] 290.06.

B03

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of5-bromo-2-methylbenzoic acid (1.5 g, 6.98 mmol, 1.00 equiv) indichloromethane (15 mL), 4-aminobenzonitrile (820 mg, 6.94 mmol, 1.00equiv), EDCI (2 g, 10.43 mmol, 1.50 equiv), 4-dimethylaminopyridine(1.28 g, 10.48 mmol, 1.50 equiv). The resulting solution was stirredovernight at room temperature. The resulting mixture was concentratedunder vacuum. The residue was dissolved in 100 mL of ethyl acetate. Theresulting mixture was washed with 3×30 mL of hydrogen chloride (2.4mol/L) and 2×30 mL of water. The resulting mixture was washed with 2×30mL of sodium bicarbonate (aq.) and 2×30 mL of brine. The mixture wasdried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum. Thisresulted in 1.93 g (88%) of 5-bromo-N-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-methylbenzamideas a light yellow solid.

Into a 100-mL round-bottom flask purged and maintained with an inertatmosphere of nitrogen, was placed a solution of5-bromo-N-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-methylbenzamide (1 g, 3.17 mmol, 1.00 equiv)in DMAC (5 mL), bis(dipotassium) ironhexacarbonitrile trihydrate (337mg, 0.80 mmol, 0.25 equiv), sodium carbonate (336 mg, 3.17 mmol, 1.00equiv), Pd(OAc)₂ (23 mg, 0.10 mmol, 0.03 equiv). The resulting solutionwas stirred for 4 h at 120° C. in an oil bath. The reaction mixture wascooled. The resulting solution was diluted with 60 mL of ethyl acetate.The resulting mixture was washed with 1×40 mL of brine. The resultingsolution was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum.This resulted in 0.65 g (78%) of5-cyano-N-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-methylbenzamide as a light brown solid.

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, was placed5-cyano-N-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-methylbenzamide (300 mg, 1.15 mmol, 1.00equiv), 2-methylpropan-2-ol (12 mL), water (12 mL). To this was addedtetraoxo(potassio)manganese (908 mg, 5.75 mmol, 5.00 equiv) in severalbatches at 100° C. in 27 mins. The resulting solution was stirred for6.5 h at 100° C. in an oil bath. The reaction mixture was cooled to 40degree C. with a water bath. The pH value of the solution was adjustedto 2 with aqueous hydrogen chloride (2.4 mol/L). The resulting solutionwas extracted with 4×50 ml of ethyl acetate and the organic layerscombined and concentrated under vacuum. Aqueous sodium hydroxide (1mol/L) was employed to adjust the pH to 9. The crude product (200 mg)was purified by Prep-HPLC with the following conditions(1#-Pre-HPLC-001(SHIMADZU)): Column, SunFire Prep C18, 19*150 mm 5 um;mobile phase, Water with 50 mmol NH₄HCO₃ and CH₃CN (25% CH₃CN up to 30%in 15 min, up to 100% in 2 min, down to 25% in 1 min); Detector,Waters2545 UvDector 254&220 nm. 8.5 mg product was obtained. Thisresulted in 8.5 mg (2%) of sodium4-cyano-2-[(4-cyanophenyl)carbamoyl]benzoate as a white solid. ¹H-NMR(300 MHz, (CD₃OD): δ 7.99 (s, 1H), 7.88 (m, 4H), 7.70 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 2H).MS (ESI): 289.90 [M-Na−1]; calcd for [C₁₆H₈N₃NaO₃—Na−1] 289.06.

B10

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.49 (brs, 2H), 10.92 (1H), 8.47 (s, 1H),8.20 (m, 1H), 7.85 (m, 4H), 7.71 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H). MS (ESI): 281.90[M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₀N₂O₅+H+] 282.09. MS (ESI): 311.00 [M+H+]; calcdfor [C₁₆H₁₁N₃O₃+H+] 311.07.

B12

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 8.04 (m, 1H), 7.67-7.98 (m, 4H), 7.32-7.62(m, 2H). MS (ESI): 333.40 [M+Na+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₀N₂O₅+Na+]333.05.

B19

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.61 (brs, 1H), 10.94 (s, 1H), 9.10 (s,1H), 8.89 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (s, 4H), 7.63 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 1H). MS(ESI): 268.00 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₄H₉N₃O₃+H+] 268.07.

B20

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.48 (brs, 1H), 11.04 (s, 1H), 8.82 (m,2H), 8.26 (dd, 7.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.97 (m, 2H), 7.85 (m, 2H), 7.73 (m,1H). MS (ESI): 268.00 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₄H₉N₃O₃+H+] 268.07.

B32

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 11.83 (brs, 1H), 7.67 (m, 6H), 7.50 (m,2H), 7.32-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.08-7.20 (m, 3H). MS (ESI): 365.05 [M+Na+];calcd for [C₂₁H₁₄N₂O₃+H+] 365.09.

MS01

2-(N-Phthalimidomethyl)benzoic acid (as prepared by Bornstein, J. et al,Organic Syntheses, 38, No pp. given; 1958) was dissolved in 10% NaOHsolution and stirred at room temperature overnight. The pH value of thesolution was adjusted to 2 with aqueous hydrogen chloride (2.4 mol/L).The resulting solution was extracted with 4×50 ml of ethyl acetate andthe organic layers combined and concentrated under vacuum. Aqueoussodium hydroxide (1 mol/L) was employed to adjust the pH to 9. The crudeproduct was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound. ¹H-NMR(300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.00 (s, 1H), 8.79 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.90 (d,J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.54-7.82 (m, 6H), 7.38 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 4.79 (d, J=5.7Hz, 2H). MS (ESI): 300.00 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₃NO₅+H+] 300.09.

MS02

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 12.95 (s, 2H) 8.93 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.97(s, 1H), 7.47-7.87 (m, 7H), 4.51 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 2H). MS (ESI): 322.00[M+Na+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₃NO₅+Na+] 322.07.

MS04

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.01 (brs, 1H), 9.03 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H),7.83 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.46-7.80 (m, 6H), 4.62 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H). MS(ESI): 281.00 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₂N₂O₃+H+] 281.09.

MS06

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 12.99 (brs, 1H), 8.95 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H),7.95 (m, 3H), 7.49-7.83 (m, 5H), 4.53 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H). MS (ESI):280.85 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₂N₂O₃+H+] 281.09.

MS11

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃OD): δ 7.94-8.03 (m, 3H), 7.86 (m, 2H), 7.50 (m,2H), 7.38 (m, 1H). MS (ESI): 281.25 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₂N₂O₃+H+]281.09.

MS 14

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 11.13 (s, 1H), 8.48 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 1H) 7.94(m, 3H), 7.58 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 7.49 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 2H), 7.15 (t, J=5.7Hz, 1H), 3.87 (s, 2H). MS (ESI): 321.90 [M+Na+]; calcd for[C₁₆H₁₃NO₅+Na+] 322.07.

MS15

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, was placed 2-acetylbenzoic acid (1.64g, 9.99 mmol, 1.00 equiv), ethanol (5 mL), 4-formylbenzonitrile (1.31 g,9.99 mmol, 1.00 equiv). To this was added sodium hydroxide(aq.) (10 mL,1.5N) with an ice/water bath. The resulting solution was stirred for 16h at room temperature. The reaction was then quenched by the addition of20 mL of water. The pH value of the solution was adjusted to 2-3 withhydrogen chloride (4 mol/L). The resulting solution was extracted with3×20 mL of dichloromethane and the organic layers combined. Theresulting mixture was washed with 1×30 mL of H2O. The mixture was driedover anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum. The crudeproduct (250 mg) was purified by Prep-HPLC with the following conditions(1#-Pre-HPLC-006(Waters)): Column, SunFire Prep C18, 19*150 mm Sum;mobile phase, WATER WITH 0.5% TFA and CH3CN (20% CH3CN up to 60% in 10min, up to 100% in 2 min); Detector, uv 254/220 nm. 16.2 mg product wasobtained. This resulted in 16.2 mg (1%) of2-[(2E)-3-(4-cyanophenyl)prop-2-enoyl]benzoic acid as a white solid.¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃OD): δ 8.07 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.77 (m, 8H), 7.24 (m,2H). MS (ESI): 278.15 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₇H₁₁NO₃+H+] 278.08.

MS16

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.10 (brs, 1H), 7.96 (m, 3H), 7.83 (m,2H), 7.64-7.76 (m, 2H), 7.52 (m, 1H), 7.28 (m, 2H). MS (ESI): 297.25[M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₇H₁₂O₅+H+] 297.08.

MS 17-1

To a solution of 2-carboxybenzaldehyde (150 mg, 1 mmol) in 2M NaOH inwater/ethanol (1:1, 5 mL) was added 4′-cyanoacetophenone (145 mg, 1mmol) dropwise at 0° C. The resultant mixture was stirred for 48 h atroom temperature. The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetateand subsequently washed with brine. The organic extracts were dried overanhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum with subsequentpurification by column chromatography to give the title compound. ¹H-NMR(300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ8.15 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 8.04 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 2H),7.87 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.81 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 7.74 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H),7.63 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 6.12 (m, 1H), 3.77-3.98 (m, 2H). MS (ESI):275.85 [M−1]; calcd for [C₁₇H₁₁NO₃−1] 276.07.

MS18-1

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.35 (brs, 1H), 8.08 (m, 4H), 7.75-7.88(m, 3H), 7.62 (m, 1H), 6.13 (m, 1H), 3.93 (m, 2H). HRMS (ESI): 297.0766[M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₇H₁₂O₅+H+] 297.0757.

MS 21

(The title compound was prepared according to the procedure of Nozawa,Eisuke et al from PCT Int. Appl., 2009005076, 8 Jan. 2009.) To a mixtureof methyl 1H-indole-7-carboxylate (6.00 g, 34.25 mmol) and tert-butanol(300 mL) was added N-bromosuccinimide (3.30 g, 18.5 mmol) portionwise atroom temperature. This solution was stirred for 2 h at room temperature.The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. To theresidue was added a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution followed byextraction with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over sodiumsulfate, filtered, and then concentrated under reduced pressure. Thecrude product was purified by flash column chromatography to give thetitle compound (4.2 g, 48%).

To a solution of methyl 3-bromo-1H-indole-7-carboxylate (4.0 g, 15.75mmol) and DMAP (38.5 mg, 0.315 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) was addeddi-tert-buty dicarbonate (3.78 g, 17.33 mmol). The reaction was stirredfor 3 h at room temperature. The reaction was quenched with 1N HCl. Theorganic layer was extracted with ethyl acetate, dried over sodiumsulfate, filtered, and then concentrated under reduced pressure. Thecrude product was purified by flash column chromatography to give thetitle compound (5.03 g, 90%).

To a solution of 1-tert-butyl 7-methyl3-(4-cyanophenyl)-1H-indole-1,7-dicarboxylate (753.0 mg, 2 mmol,)4-cyanophenylboronic acid (441.0 mg, 3.0 mmol), sodium carbonate (318.0mg, 3.0 mmol) in THF and H₂O (3:1, 80 mL) was added PdCl₂(dppf) (0.2mmol, 146.3 mg). The reaction mixture was heated at reflux for 10 h. Thereaction was quenched by addition of ethyl acetate and sodiumbicarbonate. The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, driedover sodium sulfate, filtered, and then concentrated under reducedpressure. The crude product was purified by flash column chromatographyto give the title compound (587.2 mg, 78%).

1-tert-butyl 7-methyl 3-(4-cyanophenyl)-1H-indole-1,7-dicarboxylate(376.4 mg, 1 mmol) was added to a solution of 1M LiOH.H₂O in THF and H₂O(1:1, 10 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for12 h. The aqueous layer was first washed with ethyl acetate and thenacidified with 4N HCl. The aqueous layer was then extracted with ethylacetate. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, andthen concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was used inthe next step without further purification.

Crude 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(4-cyanophenyl)-1H-indole-7-carboxylicacid (300 mg) was added to a 10% solution of trifluoroacetic acid inCH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was warmed to roomtemperature and stirred for one hour. The solvent was removed underreduced pressure. The crude product was purified by Prep-HPLC to givethe title compound. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.16 (brs, 1H), 11.59(s, 1H), 8.22 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.86-7.97 (m, 6H), 7.29 (t, J=7.5 Hz,1H). MS (ESI): 261.00 [M−1]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₀N₂O₅−1] 261.07.

MS26

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 8.14 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 7.92 (d, J=6.6 Hz,2H), 7.83 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.71 (m, 2H), 7.57 (t, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 5.09(s, 2H). MS (ESI): 235.00 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₀N₂O+H+] 235.09.

MS28

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.96-8.07 (m, 4H), 7.86 (s, 2H), 7.74 (d,J=8.4 Hz, 2H).

MS29

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 8.10 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.93-8.03 (m, 4H),7.60 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H). MS (ESI): 266.00 [M−1 calcd for [C₁₅H₁₉NO₄−1]266.05.

MS39

To a solution of NaH (60% dispersion in oil, 1.2 eq) in DMF (10 mL) wasadded methyl 1,3-dioxoisoindoline-5-carboxylate (353 mg, 1.00 mmol) (asprepared by Mazzocchi, P. H. et al Journal of Organic Chemistry, 48(18),2981-9; 1983) dropwise at 0° C. The solution was warmed to roomtemperature and stirred for one hour. Methyl 2-(bromomethyl)benzoate(275 mg, 1.2 mmol) was subsequently added dropwise and the reactionmixture stirred overnight. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetateand washed with brine. The organic extracts were dried over anhydroussodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum to give an oil which wasused in the next step without further purification. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz,(CD₃)₂SO): δ 8.37 (m, 2H), 7.92 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.37 (t, J=7.8 Hz,1H), 7.27 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 5.22 (s, 2H). MS(ESI): 347.80 [M+Na+]; calcd for [C₁₇H₁₁NO₆+Na+] 348.05.

N01

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.03 (brs, 1H), 11.00 (brs, 1H), 8.47 (d,J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 7.92 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (m, 5H). MS (ESI): 242.90[M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₃+H+] 243.08.

N04

Prepared from 2-(Difluoromethoxy)aniline and phthalic anhydride understandard conditions. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 9.95 (s, 1H), 7.88(m, 2H), 7.52-7.71 (m, 3H), 7.30 (m, 3H) 7.09 (s, 1H). MS (ESI): 307.95[M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₁F₂NO₄+H+] 308.07.

N05

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.09 (brs, 1H), 10.54 (s, 1H), 7.91 (d,J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.48-7.90 (m, 5H), 7.39 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (s, 1H),6.91 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 1H). MS (ESI): 307.85 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₅H₁₁F₂NO₄+H+] 308.07.

N08

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.18 (brs, 1H), 10.66 (brs, 1H), 8.42(brs, 1H), 7.69-8.02 (m, 7H), 2.62 (s, 3H). MS (ESI): 306.05 [M+Na+];calcd for [C₁₆H₁₃NO₄+Na+] 306.07.

N09

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.11 (brs, 1H), 10.70 (s, 1H), 7.83-7.99(m, 5H), 7.58-7.72 (m, 3H), 2.52 (m, 3H). MS (ESI): 284.05 [M+H+]; calcdfor [C₁₆H₁₃NO₄+H+] 284.09.

N10

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.12 (brs, 1H), 12.23 (s, 1H), 8.62 (d,J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 7.22-7.89 (m, 7H), 7.17 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 1H).MS (ESI): 285.00 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₂N₂O₄+H+] 285.09.

N11

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.02 (brs, 1H), 10.46 (s, 1H), 8.20 (s,1H), 7.82-7.94 (m, 3H), 7.57-7.71 (m, 4H), 7.35-7.44 (m, 2H). MS (ESI):307.25 [M+Na+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₂N₂O₄+Na+] 307.07.

N13

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.40 (brs, 1H), 11.55 (s, 1H), 8.61 (d,J=6.3 Hz, 1H), 8.02 (m, 2H), 7.23-7.88 (m, 4H), 7.20 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 1H).MS (ESI): 308.20 [M+Na+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₁NO₅+Na+] 308.05.

N14

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.02 (brs, 2H), 10.53 (s, 1H), 8.38 (s,1H), 7.89 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 7.56-7.69 (m, 4H), 7.46 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H).MS (ESI): 286.20 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₁NO₅+H+] 286.07

N17

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.00 (brs, 1H), 10.65 (s, 1H), 8.34 (s,1H), 7.90 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (m, 1H) 7.39-7.69 (m, 5H), 7.32 (s,2H). MS (ESI): 320.85 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₄H₁₂N₂O₅S+H+] 321.05.

N19

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.13 (brs, 1H), 10.71 (s, 1H), 8.18 (s,1H), 7.90-7.94 (m, 2H), 7.55-7.73 (m, 5H). MS (ESI): 267.00 [M+H+];calcd for [C₁₅H₁₀N₂O₃+H+] 267.08.

N20

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.10 (brs, 1H), 9.76 (s, 1H), 7.88 (d,J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.57-7.71 (m, 4H), 7.45 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.19-7.32 (m,2H), 5.29 (brs, 1H), 4.61 (s, 2H). MS (ESI): 293.90 [M+Na+]; calcd for[C₁₅H₁₃NO₄+Na+] 294.07.

N24

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 8.05 (m, 2H), 7.45-7.74 (m, 5H), 7.28 (m,1H), 4.23 (s, 2H), 2.77 (s, 3H). MS (ESI): 284.90 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₆H₁₆N₂O₃+H+] 285.12.

N26

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 12.98 (brs, 1H), 10.24 (s, 1H), 7.88 (d,J=6.6 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.87 (m, 5H), 7.17 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 3.59 (t, J=6.9Hz, 2H), 2.70 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H). MS (ESI): 308.25 [M+Na+]; calcd for[C₁₆H₁₅NO₄+Na+] 308.09.

N28

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 12.84 (brs, 1H), 10.13 (s, 1H), 7.86 (d,J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.52-7.68 (m, 5H), 6.93 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 2H), 3.76 (m, 4H),3.07 (m, 4H). MS (ESI): 326.90 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₄+H+] 327.13.

N30

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 9.41 (brs, 1H), 7.60 (m, 1H0, 7.51 (m,1H), 7.40 (m, 2H), 3.74 (m, 1H), 2.73 (m, 1H), 2.03 (m, 2H), 1.87 (m,2H), 1.60 (m, 2H), 1.36 (m, 2H). MS (ESI): 295.10 [M+Na+]; calcd for[C₁₅H₁₆N₂O₃+Na+] 295.11.

N31

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.67 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.27-7.36 (m, 3H),1.99 (m, 1H), 1.47-1.64 (m, 8H). MS (ESI): 314.30 [M+Na+]; calcd for[C₁₅H₁₇NO₅+Na+] 314.10.

N33

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.54 (m, 1H), 7.26-7.52 (m, 3H), 3.07 (d,J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.28 (m, 1H), 1.80 (m, 2H), 1.38-1.58 (m, 5H), 1.23 (m,2H). MS (ESI): 306.10 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₆H₁₉NO₅+H+] 306.13.

N34

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.81 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.80 (m, 3H), 6.74 (s,2H). MS (ESI): 232.10 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₁H₉N₃O₃+H+] 232.07.

N35

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.95 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (m, 2H),7.42-7.52 (m, 3H), 7.09 (s, 1H). MS (ESI): 232.90 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₁H₈N₂O₄+H+] 233.06.

N38

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.16 (brs, 1H), 11.81 (s, 1H), 8.41 (s,1H), 7.93 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.57-7.73 (m, 5H), 7.45 (m, 2H), 7.35 (m,1H). MS (ESI): 309.00 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₇H₁₂N₂O₄+H+] 309.09.

N39

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 7.87-8.05 (m, 4H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.43-7.58(m, 4H), 7.34 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H). MS (ESI): 325.00 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₇H₁₂N₂O₃S+H+] 325.06.

N42

Prepared from 2-Aminothiazole+phthalic anhydride under standardconditions. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.07 (brs, 1H), 11.78 (s,1H), 8.63 (s, 1H), 7.93 (m, 1H), 7.58-7.91 (m, 4H). MS (ESI): 248.85[M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₁H₈N₂O₃S+H+] 249.03.

N45

2-Amino-4-phenylthiazole+phthalic anhydride under standard conditions.¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.16 (brs, 1H), 11.90 (s, 1H), 7.93 (m,3H), 7.62-7.92 (m, 4H), 7.42-7.53 (m, 3H). MS (ESI): 325.00 [M+H+];calcd for [C₁₇H₁₂N₂O₃S+H+] 325.06.

N50

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 8.61 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 2H), 7.84 (d, J=7.5 Hz,1H), 7.50-7.62 (m, 3H), 7.17 (t, J=4.8 Hz, 1H). MS (ESI): 243.85 [M+H+];calcd for [C₁₂H₉N₃O₃+H+] 244.07.

N52

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.12 (brs, 1H), 11.22 (s, 1H), 9.43 (s,1H), 8.42 (m, 2H), 7.91 (m, 1H), 7.57-7.69 (m, 3H). MS (ESI): 243.85[M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₂H₉N₃O₃+H+] 244.07.

PA02

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.07 (brs, 1H), 11.14 (s, 1H), 10.56 (s,1H), 8.97 (brs, 1H), 7.92 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.57-7.77 (m, 7H). MS(ESI): 300.95 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₂N₂O₅+H+] 301.08.

PA06

Prepared from 5-(4-Aminophenyl)tetrazole+phthalic anhydride understandard conditions. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.11 (brs, 1H),10.68 (s, 1H), 8.05 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.92 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 3H), 7.59-7.70(m, 3H). MS (ESI): 310.25 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₁₁N₅O₃+H+] 310.09.

PA07

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 10.39 (s, 1H), 8.92 (m, 2H), 8.57 (m, 1H),8.05 (m, 2H), 7.87 (m, 1H), 7.54-7.76 (m, 8H) (1:1 complex withpyridine). MS (ESI): 320.05 [M−1]; calcd for [C₁₄H₁₁NO₆S−1] 320.03.

PA08

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃OD): δ 8.06 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (m, 4H),7.56-7.70 (m, 3H). MS (ESI): 321.95 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₄H₁₂NO₆P+H+]322.05.

PM02

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.03 (brs, 1H), 10.37 (s, 1H), 7.87 (d,J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.71 (m, 5H), 7.40 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 2H) 7.29 (t, J=7.8Hz, 2H), 6.91-7.02 (m, 3H), 5.05 (s, 2H). MS (ESI): 370.30 [M+Na+];calcd for [C₂₁H₁₇NO₄+Na+] 370.11.

PM05

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.08 (brs, 1H), 10.52 (s, 1H), 8.66 (m,1H), 8.10 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.83-7.97 (m, 5H), 7.59-7.72 (m, 3H), 7.32(m, 1H). MS (ESI): 318.85 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₉H₁₄N₂O₃+H+] 319.11.

PM10

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 12.50 (brs, 1H), 7.63-7.76 (m, 4H), 7.47(m, 2H), 7.21 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.40 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 5.52 (s, 2H),4.15 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 2H). MS (ESI): 314.00 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₆H₁₅N₃O₄+H+] 314.11.

PM11

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 13.00 (brs, 1H), 10.31 (s, 1H), 7.89 (d,J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.54-7.70 (m, 6H), 7.22 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 4.16 (d, J=5.7Hz, 2H), 3.57 (s, 3H). MS (ESI): 329.00 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₇H₁₆N₂O₅+H+] 329.11.

PM18

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 12.73 (brs, 1H), 11.37 (brs, 1H), 7.97 (m,2H), 7.38-7.87 (m, 6H), 7.05 (m, 2H). MS (ESI): 307.95 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₇H₁₃N₃O₃+H+] 308.10.

R01

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 8.36 (m, 1H), 7.93 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.78(m, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (m, 2H), 7.33 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H).MS (ESI): 264.00 [M+H+]; calcd for [C₁₅H₉N₃O₂+H+] 264.08.

R06-1

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 8.64 (m, 1H), 8.14 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H),7.75-7.88 (m, 2H), 7.34-7.51 (m, 3H). MS (ESI): 280.90 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₅H₈N₂O₂S+H+] 281.04.

R07

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO+D₂O): δ 7.79-7.89 (m, 5H), 7.33 (m, 2H), 7.00(m, 1H). MS (ESI): 300.95 [M−1]; calcd for [C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₄S−1] 301.04.

R10

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, (CD₃)₂SO): δ 11.50 (brs, 1H), 7.87-7.99 (m, 4H), 7.64(m, 1H), 7.36 (m, 3H), 7.16 (m, 2H). MS (ESI): 281.90 [M+H+]; calcd for[C₁₅H₁₁N₃O₃+H+] 282.09.

Example 2 High Throughput Screen for Inducers of Chondrogenesis

This example describes the assay used to identify compounds that inducechondrogenesis. The assay system targeted the resident mesenchymal stemcells (MSCs) in cartilage and identified mediators that stimulated thenatural repair potential and enhance integrated cartilage regeneration.This unbiased cell-based screening approach with chemical or genomiclibraries has proven a powerful approach for identifying molecules thatcontrol stem cell self-renewal and fate.

The primary screening assay was based upon the development ofchondrogenic nodules. Chondrocytes can grow in monolayer in vitro, butto more closely mimic their native environment in the joint, the cellsare routinely cultured in non-adherent conditions such as in pelletcultures or alginate bead suspensions.

During the design of a high throughput screen of hMSCs in 384 wellplates we discovered that cells, even when plated under monolayerconditions initially, if exposed to the proper stimulation andenvironment, develop a nodule containing the characteristics ofchondrocytes grown in pellet cultures. In direct comparison with thepellet cultures of MSCs or chondrocytes, all populations of thechondrogenic nodules had high levels of cartilage specific matrixproduction (both proteoglycans and type II collagen expression)suggesting that chondrogenic differentiation has occurred. To initiallyimage nodules, the wells were fixed and stained with 1 μg/ml Rhodamine B(FIG. 1) where the nodules were easily detected by eye and imagescaptured by light microscopy. In the actual screen of a library of22,000 structurally diverse heterocycles, 10⁴ primary hMSCs were platedin 384 well plates in serum free DMEM. The cells were treated with 5 μMof each compound and incubated for 4 days. During this period thechondrogenic nodule formed in wells that were considered a positive hit.To facilitate high throughput imaged-based detection, the chondrogenicnodules were stained with Nile red which binds non-specifically tocollagens. The Nile Red stained nodules were quantified on an Acumen eX3(high content imaging device) by excitation with a 488 laser for rapiddetection of the nodules. PRO1 was thus identified as having EC₅₀=100 nM(see Table 1).

Following the initial screen, the hits were subsequently characterizedin multiple secondary assays. No toxicity was found after treatment with100 μM PRO1 in hMSCs, synovial fibroblasts, chondrocytes or HEK 293cells (data not shown). Furthermore, a small proliferative advantage wasdemonstrated in human chondrocytes (<1.5 fold), but was not significantwhen re-evaluated in cartilage organ cultures (data not shown). Thespecificity of chondrocyte differentiation was confirmed byimmunocytochemical staining for type II collagen (FIG. 2A), Sox9 andaggrecan in cultures of hMSCs after 18 days. In addition mRNA frompellet cultures after 7 and 21 days demonstrated expression of lubricin,aggrecan and type II collagen, but not osteocalcin or type X collagen.Similar data was generated using a mouse mesenchymal cell line, ATCD5,suggesting that PRO1 has mouse and human cross-reactivity. These dataprompted an initial structure-activity relationship (SAR) be completedon the core scaffold of PRO1.

The chondrogenic differentiation event was initiated quickly even thougha fully differentiated chondrocyte phenotype cannot be assessed prior to14 days in culture. In an 18 day assay, compound treatment was onlyrequired for the first 48 hrs and followed by removal and replacement ofthe media (in the absence of stimuli, FIG. 2B). The promotion ofchondrogenic differentiation was not altered or enhanced upon longertreatment with the stimuli (data not shown). In addition, treatment ofhMSCs with PRO1 or an analogue, PRO1-CN (Table 1), was more potent andefficient than treatment with known inducers of chondrogenicdifferentiation (TGFβ3, BMP7 or BMP2). The chondrocyte proliferativebiologic in Phase II clinical trials, FGF18, did not effectively inducehMSC differentiation (FIG. 2B).

In the screen, hMSCs were used as a surrogate to future targeting of theresident MSCs with the cartilage joint. It was in that setting uponwhich we identified PRO1. In a joint injury, the primary cell type atherapeutic would have contact with is the chondrocyte. Althoughcartilage or chondrocyte-targeted screening has not lead to thedevelopment of a successful drug modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD)to date, it is believed that a stem cell-based therapeutic would protectand even repair the existing chondrocytes. Therefore, protection of thearticular chondrocytes and cartilage from a mature bovine knee wasassessed. PRO1 and its analogues were incubated with primary bovinechondrocytes or cartilage explants cultures grown in the presence ofTNFα and oncostatin M to mimic the cytokine-induced damage that canoccur during OA. In the presence of the cytokine cocktail, in vitrocultured primary chondrocytes released 4-5 fold more nitric oxide (NO)than the untreated chondrocytes (50 μM vs 10 μM) as measured by theGreiss reaction. In cells treated with the cytokine cocktail and PRO1,the small molecule could effectively block the release of NO by up to70% FIG. 2C). Similarly, in ex vivo treated cartilage explants,cytokine-induced release of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) was reduced by upto 60% by PRO1 (FIG. 2D). Finally, hMSC were grown in pellet culture for21 days. Upon immunohistochemical staining of the pellets, it wasdemonstrated that PRO1 could increase type II collagen and aggrecanexpression in a three dimensional culture environment (FIG. 2E).

TABLE 1 Table of compounds synthesized and selected by SAR CHONDROGENICμM EC₅₀/ COLLAGEN NO INHIBTION TYPE II PRODUCT STRUCTURE μM IC₅₀ μM EC₅₀AKT, AKT093, PRO1

0.225/0.45 0.08  AKT-CN, LK3, LK81, PRO1-CN

0.137/0.03 0.108 AKT-Me L3

>10/>10 >10 AKT-biotine LK14

0.04/0.001 >10 AKT-NHEt LK19b

2.01\>10 >10 LK6

9.1/>10 >10 LK20b

0.014/>10 >10 Resynthesized LK8

9.1/>10 >10 SMA-1* LK17b

>10/0.04 0.37  L11c

0.125/>10 >10 Resynthesized L2

>10/ND >10 Resynthesized L11a

>10/>10 >10 L9

>10/>10 >10 L5

0.6/2.4 >10 LK18b

0.0015/2.7 0.05  LK22b

0.0046/>10 >10 LK4

3.8/>10 33.34  LK63

0.126/.0298 ND LK60

0.014/1.245 ND LK35

>10/0.03 >10 LK62

3.36/0.145 ND Resynthesized LK57

>10/ND ND LK61

0.052/1.69 ND Resynthesized LK49

5/>10 ND

>10/2.5 ND LK53

0.005/0.146 ND

>10/0.624 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/2.7 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/2.64 ND

ND/0.925 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/0.925 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND AKT-CH2OH L1

0.04/0.27 8.46  AKT-NHMe LK23

2.7/0.0046 0.24  AKT-F LK5

>10/>10 >10 AKT-azide LK80 LK80b

ND/0.12 0.654 AKT-iPr LK14b

0.0015/>10 6.978 Resynthesized LK7

>10/>10 >10 LK15

0.12/>10 >10 L12

ND/ND ND L4

9.5/22.1 11.1   Resynthesized L7

>10/>10 >10 L6

>10/>10 >10 LK55b

0.124/.234 ND LK13b

>10/ND ND L13

>10/>10 >10 LK51

ND/ND ND LK52

ND/ND ND LK55

0.126/0.216 ND LK58

ND/ND ND

Resynthesized LK64

0.398/0.981 ND LK59

0.371/0.491 ND Resynthesized

>10 uM/0.0125 ND

ND/0.987 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/2.98 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

ND/>10 ND

TABLE 2 Additional Compounds Com- Activ- pound Structure ity¹ A01

** A02

A04

A05

A06

*** A08

A09

** A10

A11

** A12

** A13

** A14

A17

A18

A22

** A23

** A24

** A25

B02

** B03

*** B05

B06

B07

B08

B10

** B11

B12

** B13

B14

B15

B16

B17

B18

B19

*** B20

** B21

B27

B28

B29

B30

B31

B32

** MS01

*** MS02

** MS03

MS04

** MS05

MS06

** MS07

MS08

MS09

MS10

MS11

** MS13

MS14

** MS15

*** MS16

** MS17-1

*** MS18-1

** MS19

MS21

*** MS26

** MS27

MS28

** MS29

*** MS30

MS31

MS32

MS35

MS36

MS38

MS39

*** N01

*** N02

N04

*** N05

** N06

N07

N08

**** N09

** N10

** N11

** N12

N13

** N14

** N15

N16

N17

** N18

N19

*** N20

** N21

N22

N23

N24

*** N25

N26

*** N27

N28

** N29

N30

** N31

** N32

N33

** N34

** N35

** N36

N37

N38

** N39

** N42

*** N45

*** N46

N47

N48

N49

N50

** N51

N52

** N53

PA02

** PA03

PA04

PA05

PA06

*** PA07

*** PA08

** PM01

PM02

** PM04

PM05

** PM06

PM08

PM09

PM10

** PM11

** PM12

PM15

PM16

PM17

PM18

** PM19

R01

** R02

R04

R04-1

R06-1

** R07

** R08

R09

R10

** R11

R14

¹**, chondrogenic nodules formed in at least 25% but less than 50% ofcells. ***, chondrogenic nodules formed in at least 50% but less than75% of cells. ****, chondrogenic nodules formed in at least 75% ofcells.

Example 3 Rapid Phenotypic Cartilage Nodule Formation by hMSC Culturesafter Incubation with 100 nM PRO1

Primary hMSCs grown in a 96 well Greiner plates (50,000/well) wereincubated for 4 days in the presence of the 5 uM of each DMSO or 100 nMof PRO1. On day 4, the cells were fixed with 4% formalin for 10 minutes,washed and stained with 1 μg/ml of Rhodamine B for 2 hours at roomtemperature. The wells were imaged to display the formation of acartilage nodule and phenotypic change associated with stimulation ofMSCs by PRO1.

Example 4 Confirmation of Cartilage-Specific Protein Expression andChondro-Protective Properties of PRO1

Primary hMSCs were plated (10,000/well) in 384-well plates and culturedfor 18 days. The cells were fixed with 4% formalin, permeablized withtriton (0.5%), digested with 0.5 mg/ml collagenase II to unwind thecollagen fibrils, and then immunostained with an antibody recognizingtype II collagen. DAPI (2 μg/ml) was added to visualize the nuclei. Thechondrogenic nodules stained positive for type II collagen but lackedexpression of type X collagen and osteocalcin, markers for chondrocytehypertrophy and osteoblasts, respectively (not shown). 10,000 hMSCs(passages 3-5) were plated in Greiner 384-well low-bottom plates onday 1. The cells were allowed to adhere and stimulated for 48 hrs (days2-3) with the indicated stimuli in MSC growth media (Millipore). Themedia was then removed and replaced with serum-free DMEM for anadditional 16 days. This media was replenished on days 10 and 15 of theassay. Primary bovine chondrocytes were isolated from the articularsurfaces from mature knees. After one week of culture, 8,500 cells weretrypsinized and plated in Greiner 384-well white clear-bottom plates ingrowth media. Following 24 hrs of culture, the media was removed andreplaced with DMEM containing 20 ng/ml TNFα and 10 ng/ml oncostatin M.The cells were treated for 48 hours with and without the small moleculesto assess the inhibition of the cytokine induced-NO release. 20 μl ofthe supernatant was mixed with 20 μl of the Greiss reagent andquantitated at 540 nm as described by the Promega kit instructions.Bovine cartilage explants (cut in circular explants in a 96 well plate)were cultured in the presence of 20 ng/ml TNFα and 10 ng/ml oncostatin Mto induce GAG release for 72 hours (FIG. 2D). PRO1 was added at theindicated concentrations during the entire 72 hrs. Incubation with 1 μMTGFβ3 (or less) and multiple doses of 1×ITS/100 nM dexamethasone did nothave the same degree of chondro-protective activities. Parafin sectionswere hydrated, incubated in low pH Antigen unmasking solution (Vector)at 90 C for 10 minutes, permeabilized with 0.1% collagenase II (only forthe sections stained with type II collagen) for 10 minutes, blocked withCAS block for 10 minutes and then incubated with the primary antibody(type II collagen, aggrecan or Timpl) antibody (Abcam) overnight at 4 C.The antigens were visualized through standard ABC detection methods anddeveloped with DAB. Representative of 3 sections stained/treatment group(independent experiments). See FIG. 2A-E.

Example 5 PRO1 Reduced Cartilage Damage and Circulating COMP Levelsafter Induction of Knee Joint Trauma by Collagenase VII

IA injections of C57BL/10 mice with collagenase VII (12U/knee) inducedjoint damage through digestion of the ligament of the knee. The micewere dosed intra-articularly on days 7 and 21 with 10 μM PRO1 or PBS. Onday 56 the mice were euthanized for histopathological analyses. Parafinblocks were sectioned at Sum and stained with Safranin O, andrepresentative data was collected for the PBS- and PRO1-treated mice(FIG. 3A). The total medial tibial plateau joint score was determined bytwo blinded observers and averaged to represent the data shown hereusing the OARSI scoring system (FIG. 3B). Peripheral blood was collectedfrom each mouse by retro-orbital bleeding on day 1, day 13 and day 56.The circulating COMP was determined by the Animal COMP ELISA kitaccording to the manufacturer's instructions (MDBioproducts, St Paul,Minn.). Pooled data, 10 mice/group (FIG. 3C).

Example 6 Surgical Induction of Cartilage Injury: Inhibition of CTX-IIPeptide in Plasma and Protection of Cartilage Damage by PRO1

Surgical transection of the ACL, MCL, and MMTL was performed to inducecartilage injury in female 129SVE mice. Mice were dosed by IA injectionon days 7, 14 and 21. The medial tibial plateaus from representativemice were assessed on day 28 (FIG. 4A). Histomorphometric analyses andgrading by two blinded observers using a modified OARSI scoring systemdetermined the joint severity scores of the lateral tibial plateau onday 28 after surgical induction (FIG. 4B). At 28 days, peripheral bloodwas collected by retro-orbital bleeding and the serum was used todetermine the cleaved type II collagen fragments (CTX-II levels) byELISA (Serum Pre-Clinical Cartilaps, Immunodiagnostic Systems, FountainHills, Ariz.). n=15/treatment group (FIG. 4C).

Example 7 Surgical Induction of OA: Alleviation of OA-Induced Pain

Surgical transection of the ACL, MCL, and MMTL was performed to inducecartilage injury in female 129SVE mice. Mice were dosed by IA injectionon days 7, 14, 21 and 28 once/week. On day 42, incapacitancemeasurements were used to determine the percentage of weight the mousedistributed to each hind leg. 10 measurements were taken per mouse andaveraged for each point in FIG. 5A. (n=10 mice/group except n=4 for shamand surgical groups). Histomorphometric analyses and grading by twoblinded observers using a modified OARSI scoring system determined thejoint severity scores of the lateral tibial plateau on day 56 aftersurgical induction (FIG. 5B). Parafin sections were hydrated, incubatedin low-pH antigen unmasking solution (Vector) at 90° C. for 10 minutes,permeabilized with 0.1% collagenase II for 10 minutes, blocked with CASblock for 10 minutes, and then incubated with 1:200 dilution of type IIcollagen antibody (Abcam) overnight at 4° C. The antigen was visualizedthrough standard ABC detection methods and developed with DAB (FIG. 5C).

Example 8 PRO1 Interacts with FLNA and Regulates the PEBP2β/Runx1Pathway to Induce Chondrogenesis

To identify the interaction of PRO1 and FLNA, 5 μM biotin-PRO1-azide wasadded to hMSCs in the differentiation media in the absence or presenceof a 50-fold molar excess of PRO1 and incubated for 30 min. 254-nm lightwas applied to the cells for another 30 min. Cells were lysed in lysisbuffer (20 mM Tris-HCl, pH=7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM DTT, 0.5%v/v Triton X-100, protease inhibitor cocktail), passed through 26½ gaugeneedles 20 times, and centrifuged at 12,000 rpm for 30 min. Thesupernatant was subjected to ammonium sulfate precipitationfractionation. Fractions were analyzed by Western blotting using ananti-biotin antibody (FIG. 6A). Fractions containing 20-40% ammoniumsulfate were precipitated using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) andresuspended in isoelectric focusing sample buffer and subjected to 2DSDS-PAGE and Western blotting against biotin. Proteins specificallylabeled by biotin-PRO1-azide were recognized, and the correspondingspots on a parallel gel visualized by silver staining were excised.These proteins were identified by mass spectrometry proteomics analysis.hMSCs were treated in monolayer or pellet culture (as indicated in FIG.6B-6C) for 24-72 hrs. 15 μg of protein was separated by SDS-PAGE andhMSCs were fractionated (as indicated in FIG. 6B-6C) into cytosolic andnuclear fractions or monomeric and filamentous components as previouslydescribed.

Example 9 PRO1 Inhibits the Protein Interactions Between FLNA PEBP2β

hMSCs were treated with PRO1 for 12 hr and lysed as above. 2 μg ofanti-PEBP2β antibody was added to the cell lysate and incubatedovernight at 4° C. prior to addition of agarose beads bearingimmobilized protein A/G. After incubation of the lysate with the proteinA/G beads for 1 hour, the beads were collected by centrifugation at2,000 rpm and washed 3 times with lysis buffer. 30 μL of 2×SDS samplebuffer was added to the beads and boiled for 5 min. Proteins wereanalyzed by Western blotting using antibodies as indicated in FIG. 7.

Plasma Dose Animal C_(max) AUC_(0-inf) Conc. (nM) Compound Route mg/kgDay ID T_(1/2) h T_(max) h nM h * nM 1.00 3.00 7.00 24.00 AKT093 intra-1.6 × 10⁻⁴ mmol/kg 1 1 1.9 1.0 133.6 342.3 134 28 13 BLQ articular (0.05mg/kg) 2 1.6 1.0 77.8 213.4 78 24 6 BLQ (into the (QD) 3 2.4 1.0 95.5376.9 95 49 16 BLQ joint) LOQ = 1 ng/mL Mean 2.0 1.0 102.3 310.9 102.333.6 11.8 BLQ (Accuracy: 99.4%) Comments: 1) Compound was dosed at 0.05mg/kg by intra-articular injection. 2) After IA dosing, the compound wasrapidly absorbed and the Cmax was ~100 nM. 3) The bioavailability was~22% 4) Short T 1/2 (~2 h).

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, one of skill in the art will appreciate that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced within the scope of theappended claims. In addition, each reference provided herein isincorporated by reference in its entirety to the same extent as if eachreference was individually incorporated by reference. Where a conflictexists between the instant application and a reference provided herein,the instant application shall dominate.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of ameliorating arthritis or jointinjury in a mammal, the method comprising administering to a joint ofthe mammal a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amountof a compound of formula I:

wherein each of ring A and ring B are independently selected from thegroup consisting of cycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl; each R¹ and R² isindependently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ heteroalkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆ alkylhydroxy, —OR^(2a),—NR^(2b)R^(2d), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)R^(1a), —C(O)R^(2d),—C(O)OR^(2a), C₁₋₆ alkyl-C(O)OR^(2b), —OC(O)R^(2b), —OC(O)OR^(2b),—C(O)NR^(2a)R^(2b), —C(O)N(OH)R^(2b), —NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(NR^(2b))NR^(2b)R^(2c),—C(O)NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SR^(2a),—SO₂R^(2b), —SO₂OR^(2b), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —NR^(2b)SO₂R^(2b),—P(O)(OR^(2b))₂, —B(OR^(2b)), —CN, —NO₂, —N₃, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-O-aryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, and heteroaryl-aryl, and whereinthe heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionallysubstituted with 1 to 2 R^(2a) groups; R^(1a) is selected from the groupconsisting of —OR^(1b) and —NR^(1b)R^(1c); R^(1b) and R^(1c) are eachindependently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, wherein the cycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally substitutedwith from 1 to 4 R^(1d) groups; each R^(1d) is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, and —NO₂; eachR^(2a) is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl andC₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, optionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups;each R^(2b) and R^(2c) is independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; each R^(2d) is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, cycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₁₆alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl and C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, eachoptionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups; each of L¹ and L² areindependently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C₁₋₆alkylene, C₂₋₆ alkenylene, C₁₋₆ alkylene-O—, —O—C₁₋₆ alkylene, C₁₋₆alkylene-NR^(3a)—, —NR^(3a)—C₁₋₆ alkylene, —C(O)—, C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—,—C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-NH—, —NH—C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—, —C(O)NH—, —NHC(O)—,C₁₋₆ alkylene-NHC(O)—, —SO₂NH—, —NHSO₂—, —NHC(O)NH—, cycloalkylene,—N═N—, and —C(R^(3a))═N(R^(3c))—, wherein the alkylene group isoptionally substituted with from 1-4 R^(3b) groups; R^(3a) is selectedfrom the group consisting of H, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; each R^(3b) isindependently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl,halogen, —OR^(3a) and —NR^(3a)R^(3a); R^(3c) is absent or —OH;alternatively, L² is combined with R¹, L¹ is combined with L², L¹ iscombined with R², two R¹ groups on adjacent ring atoms, or two R² groupson adjacent ring atoms are combined to form a 5-6 memberedheterocycloalkyl with from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S,or a 5-6 membered heteroaryl with from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected fromN, O and S, and optionally substituted with from 1 to 3 groups selectedfrom the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl and oxo; subscripts m and nare each an integer from 1 to 3; wherein: (a) L¹ is a bond, L² is—C(O)NH—, ring B is phenyl, and at least one R² is —CN or phenyl, or (b)at least one R¹ is —C(O)OH, ring A is phenyl, L² is —C(O)NH—, and L¹ isa bond or C₁₋₆ alkylene, or (c) each of ring A and ring B is phenyl, atleast one R¹ is —C(O)OH or combined with L², and at least one R² isselected from the group consisting of H, —CN and —C(O)OH; wherein whenR¹ is —CO₂H, subscript n is 1, ring A is phenyl, L² is —C(O)NH—, L¹ is abond, ring B is phenyl, subscript m is 1, and R² is phenyl, then thephenyl of R² is substituted with C₁₋₆ alkyl, or salts and isomersthereof, thereby ameliorating arthritis or joint injury in the mammal.2. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) L¹ is a bond, L² is —C(O)NH—, ringB is phenyl, R² is —CN or phenyl, and subscript m is 1, or (b) R¹ is—C(O)OH, subscript n is 1, ring A is phenyl, L² is —C(O)NH—, and L¹ is abond or —CH₂—, or (c) each of ring A and ring B is phenyl, R¹ is —C(O)OHor combined with L², subscript n is 1, and at least one R² is selectedfrom the group consisting of H, —CN and —CO₂H.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the compound has the structure:


4. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein each R¹ is independently selected from the group consisting ofC₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ heteroalkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆ alkylhydroxy, —OR^(2a),—NR^(2b)R^(2d), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)R^(1a), —C(O)R^(2d),—C(O)OR^(2a), C₁₋₆ alkyl-C(O)OR^(2b), —OC(O)R^(2b), —OC(O)OR^(2b),—C(O)NR^(2a)R^(2b), —C(O)N(OH)R^(2b), —NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(NR^(2b))NR^(2b)R^(2c),—C(O)NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SR^(2a),—SO₂R^(2b), —SO₂OR^(2b), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —NR^(2b)SO₂R^(2b),—P(O)(OR^(2b))₂, —B(OR^(2b)), —CN, —NO₂, —N₃, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-O-aryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, and heteroaryl-aryl, and whereinthe heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionallysubstituted with 1 to 2 R^(2a) groups; each of R^(2a), R^(2b), R^(2c)and R^(2d) are independently selected from the group consisting of H andC₁₋₆ alkyl; and ring A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl,biphenyl and pyridyl, wherein when ring A is phenyl and at least one R¹is —C(O)OH, then subscript n is 2 or
 3. 5. The method of claim 4,wherein each R¹ is independently selected from the group consisting of—C(O)R^(2d), —C(O)OR^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-C(O)OR^(2b), —NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SO₂OR^(2b), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d),—NR^(2b)SO₂R^(2b), and —CN.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein each R¹ isindependently selected from the group consisting of —CH₂—C(O)OH,—C(O)Me, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(O)OMe, —NHSO₂Me, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHMe, —SO₃H,—C(O)OH, and —CN.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein ring A is phenyl;and subscript n is
 1. 8. The method of claim 4, wherein ring A isselected from the group consisting of biphenyl and pyridyl, or subscriptn is
 2. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound has thestructure:

wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl and—C(O)OR^(2b); and R² is selected from the group consisting of —CN andPh.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein each R² is independently selected from the group consisting ofH, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)OR^(2b),—C(O)N(OH)R^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SO₂OR^(2b), —PO₃H, —CN, aryl,heteroaryl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl-O-aryl; ring B is selected from the groupconsisting of cyclohexyl, phenyl, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole,pyrimidine, and pyrazine; and L¹ is selected from the group consistingof a bond and —CH₂—; wherein when R² is C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), thenone of R^(2b) and R^(2d) is C₁₋₆ alkyl, when R² is —C(O)OH, then L¹ is—CH₂— or ring B is cyclohexyl, or both, when R² is —CN, then L¹ is —CH₂—or ring B is cyclohexyl, or both, and when ring B is 2-thiazole, R² isunsubstituted phenyl.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein each R² isindependently selected from the group consisting of H, —CH₂NHCONH₂,—CH₂NHCOOMe, —CH₂NHMe, —CH₂OPh, 2-CN, 4-CN, —C(O)OH, —CONHOH, —OCF2H,—PO₃H, —SO₃H, phenyl, pyridyl, imidazole and tetrazole.
 12. The methodof claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein each R² is independently selected from the group consisting ofC₁₋₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkylhydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d),—C(O)R^(1a), —C(O)R^(2d), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —CN, -heterocycloalkyl, andaryl, wherein the aryl groups are optionally substituted with halogen;alternatively, two R² groups on adjacent ring atoms can be combined toform a 5-membered heterocycloalkyl; R^(1a) is selected from the groupconsisting of —OR^(1b) and —NR^(1b)R^(1c); R^(1b) and R^(1c) are eachindependently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁₋₆ alkyl;ring B is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, thiazole andpyridyl; and L¹ is selected from the group consisting of a bond and—CH₂—; wherein when R² is C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), then both of R^(2b)and R^(2d) are H, when R² is —C(O)OH, then L¹ is a bond and ring B isphenyl, when R² is —CN, then L¹ is a bond and ring B is phenyl, and whenring B is 2-thiazole, then R² is substituted phenyl.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein each R² is independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, Me, —Cl, —CH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂OH, —CH₂NH₂, —C(O)Me, —C(O)OH,—C(O)NH₂, —CN, morpoholine, 3,4-difluorophenyl and —SO₂NH₂; andalternatively, two R² groups on adjacent ring atoms are combined to forma 1,3-dioxole or 1-methylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione.
 14. The method of claim1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R¹ is —C(O)OH; each R² is independently selected from the groupconsisting of —CN and —C(O)OH; each of L¹ and L² are independentlyselected from the group consisting of a bond, C₁₋₆ alkylene, C₂₋₆alkenylene, —C(O)—, C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—, —C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-NH—,—NH—C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—, —NHC(O)—, —SO₂NH—, —NHSO₂—, and —NHC(O)NH—;wherein at least one of L¹ and L² is selected from the group consistingof —C(O)—, C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—, —C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-NH—, —NH—C₁₋₆alkylene-C(O)—, —NHC(O)—, —SO₂NH—, —NHSO₂—, and —NHC(O)NH—;alternatively, L² is combined with R¹, or L¹ is combined with R², toform a 5-6 membered heterocycloalkyl with from 1 to 3 heteroatomsselected from N, O and S, or a 5-6 membered heteroaryl with from 1 to 3heteroatoms selected from N, O and S.
 15. The method of claim 1, whereinthe compound has the structure:

R^(1a) is selected from the group consisting of —OR^(1b) and—NR^(1b)R^(1c); R^(1b) and R^(1c) are each independently selected fromthe group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl,cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, andC₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, wherein the cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryland heteroaryl groups are optionally substituted with from 1 to 4 R^(1d)groups; each R^(1d) is independently selected from the group consistingof H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, and —NO₂; each R² is independentlyselected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, halogen,C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkylamine, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆alkyl-OH, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-heteroaryl, heteroaryl-aryl, —OR^(2a), —NR^(2b)R^(2d),—C(O)R^(2d), —C(O)OR^(2b), —OC(O)R^(2b), —C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—SO₂R^(2a), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —CN, —NO₂, and —N₃, wherein theheterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally substitutedwith 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups; alternatively, two R² groups on adjacent ringatoms are combined to form a 5 to 6 membered heterocyclic ring havingfrom 1 to 3 heteroatoms each independently selected from the groupconsisting of N, O and S, and optionally substituted with from 1 to 3groups selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl and oxo; eachR^(2a) is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl andC₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, optionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups;each R^(2b) and R^(2c) is independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; each R^(2d) is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, cycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl and C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, eachoptionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups; R⁴ is independentlyselected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, OH, —CO₂H, and —NO₂; L¹ isselected from the group consisting of a bond, C₁₋₆ alkylene, —C(O)—,—C₁₋₆ alkylene-NH—, —C₁₋₆ alkylene-NHC(O)—, and heteroarylene; and X isselected from the group consisting of —CH— and —N—.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein each R² is independently selected from the group consisting ofC₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, halogen, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆alkyl-OH, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-heteroaryl, heteroaryl-aryl, —OR^(2a), —NR^(2b)R^(2d),—C(O)R^(2d), —OC(O)R^(2b), —C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SO₂R^(2a), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d),—CN, —NO₂, and —N₃, wherein the heterocycloalkyl, and aryl groups areoptionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups; wherein when R² is—CN, then subscript m is 1, R^(1a) is OH, R⁴ is H, and L¹ is a bond. 17.The method of claim 15, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein each R² is independently selected from the group consisting ofC₁₋₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆ alkyl-OH,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-heteroaryl, heteroaryl-aryl, —OR^(2a), —NR^(2b)R^(2d),—C(O)R^(2d), —OC(O)R^(2b), —C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SO₂R^(2a), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d),—CN, —NO₂, and —N₃, wherein the heterocycloalkyl, and aryl groups areoptionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups; and L¹ is a bond,wherein when R² is —CN, then subscript m is 1, R^(1a) is OH, and R⁴ isH.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from thegroup consisting of:


19. The method of claim 1, wherein the mammal has arthritis or jointinjury.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the mammal does not have, butis at increased risk for, arthritis or joint injury.
 21. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the arthritis is selected from the group consisting ofosteoarthritis, trauma arthritis, and autoimmune arthritis.
 22. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the mammal is selected from the groupconsisting of a human, a dog, a horse and a cat.
 23. The method of claim1, wherein the composition further comprises a member selected from thegroup consisting of angiopoietin-like 3 protein (ANGPTL3), oral salmoncalcitonin, SD-6010 (iNOS inhibitor), vitamin D3 (choliecalciferol),collagen hydrolyzate, FGF18, BMP7, avocado soy unsaponifiables (ASU) andhyaluronic acid.
 24. A method of inducing differentiation of mesenchymalstem cells into chondrocytes, the method comprising contactingmesenchymal stem cells with a sufficient amount of a compound having thestructure:

wherein each of ring A and ring B are independently selected from thegroup consisting of cycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl; each R¹ and R² isindependently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ heteroalkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆ alkylhydroxy, —OR^(2a),—NR^(2b)R^(2d), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)R^(1a), —C(O)R^(2d),—C(O)OR^(2a), C₁₋₆ alkyl-C(O)OR^(2b), —OC(O)R^(2b), —OC(O)OR^(2b),—C(O)NR^(2a)R^(2b), —C(O)N(OH)R^(2b), —NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(NR^(2b))NR^(2b)R^(2c),—C(O)NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SR^(2a),—SO₂R^(2b), —SO₂OR^(2b), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —NR^(2b)SO₂R^(2b),—P(O)(OR^(2b))₂, —B(OR^(2b)), —CN, —NO₂, —N₃, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-O-aryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, and heteroaryl-aryl, and whereinthe heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionallysubstituted with 1 to 2 R^(2a) groups; R^(1a) is selected from the groupconsisting of —OR^(1b) and —NR^(1b)R^(1c); R^(1b) and R^(1c) are eachindependently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, wherein the cycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally substitutedwith from 1 to 4 R^(1d) groups; each R^(1d) is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, and —NO₂; eachR^(2a) is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl andC₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, optionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups;each R^(2b) and R^(2c) is independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; each R^(2d) is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, cycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl and C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, eachoptionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups; each of L¹ and L² areindependently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C₁₋₆alkylene, C₂₋₆ alkenylene, C₁₋₆ alkylene-O—, —O—C₁₋₆ alkylene, C₁₋₆alkylene-NR^(3a)—, —NR^(3a)—C₁₋₆ alkylene, —C(O)—, C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—,—C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-NH—, —NH—C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—, —C(O)NH—, —NHC(O)—,C₁₋₆ alkylene-NHC(O)—, —SO₂NH—, —NHSO₂—, —NHC(O)NH—, cycloalkylene,—N═N—, and —C(R^(3a))═N(R^(3c))—, wherein the alkylene group isoptionally substituted with from 1-4 R^(3b) groups; R^(3a) is selectedfrom the group consisting of H, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; each R^(3b) isindependently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl,halogen, —OR^(3a) and —NR^(3a)R^(3a); R^(3c) is absent or —OH;alternatively, L² is combined with R¹, L¹ is combined with L², L¹ iscombined with R², two R¹ groups on adjacent ring atoms, or two R² groupson adjacent ring atoms are combined to form a 5-6 memberedheterocycloalkyl with from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S,or a 5-6 membered heteroaryl with from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected fromN, O and S, and optionally substituted with from 1 to 3 groups selectedfrom the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl and oxo; subscripts m and nare each an integer from 1 to 3; wherein: (a) L¹ is a bond, L² is—C(O)NH—, ring B is phenyl, and at least one R² is —CN or phenyl, or (b)at least one R¹ is —C(O)OH, ring A is phenyl, L² is —C(O)NH—, and L¹ isa bond or C₁₋₆ alkylene, or (c) each of ring A and ring B is phenyl, atleast one R¹ is —C(O)OH or combined with L², and at least one R² isselected from the group consisting of H, —CN and —C(O)OH; wherein whenR¹ is —CO₂H, subscript n is 1, ring A is phenyl, L² is —C(O)NH—, L¹ is abond, ring B is phenyl, subscript m is 1, and R² is phenyl, then thephenyl of R² is substituted with C₁₋₆ alkyl, or salts and isomersthereof, thereby inducing differentiation of the stem cells intochondrocytes.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the method isperformed in vitro.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the method isperformed in vivo in a mammal and the stem cells are present in themammal.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the mammal is a human, adog, a horse or a cat.
 28. A compound selected from the group consistingof:


29. The compound of claim 28, selected from the group consisting of:


30. The compound of claim 28, selected from the group consisting of:


31. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 28 and apharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 32. A pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and apharmaceutically effective amount of a compound of formula I:

wherein each of ring A and ring B are independently selected from thegroup consisting of cycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl; each R¹ and R² isindependently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ heteroalkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl-CN, C₁₋₆ alkylhydroxy, —OR^(2a),—NR^(2b)R^(2d), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)R^(2d), —C(O)R^(1a), —C(O)R^(2d),—C(O)OR^(2a), C₁₋₆ alkyl-C(O)OR^(2b), —OC(O)R^(2b), —OC(O)OR^(2b),—C(O)NR^(2a)R^(2b), —C(O)N(OH)R^(2b), NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), C₁₋₆alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)OR^(2c), —OC(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c),—NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —NR^(2b)C(NR^(2b))NR^(2b)R^(2c),—C(O)NR^(2b)C(O)R^(2b), C₁₋₆ alkyl-NR^(2b)C(O)NR^(2b)R^(2c), —SR^(2a),—SO₂R^(2b), —SO₂R^(2b), —SO₂NR^(2b)R^(2d), —NR^(2b)SO₂R^(2b),—P(O)(OR^(2b))₂, —B(OR^(2b)), —CN, —NO₂, —N₃, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, C₁₋₆alkyl-O-aryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, and heteroaryl-aryl, and whereinthe heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionallysubstituted with 1 to 2 R^(2a) groups; R^(1a) is selected from the groupconsisting of —OR^(1b) and —NR^(1b)R^(1c); R^(1b) and R^(1c) are eachindependently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, wherein the cycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally substitutedwith from 1 to 4 R^(1d) groups; each R^(1d) is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, and —NO₂; eachR^(2a) is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl andC₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, optionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups;each R^(2b) and R^(2c) is independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; each R^(2d) is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, cycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl-aryl and C₁₋₆ alkyl-heteroaryl, eachoptionally substituted with 1 to 2 R^(2b) groups; each of L¹ and L² areindependently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C₁₋₆alkylene, C₂₋₆ alkenylene, C₁₋₆ alkylene-O—, —O—C₁₋₆ alkylene, C₁₋₆alkylene-NR^(3a)—, —NR^(3a)—C₁₋₆ alkylene, —C(O)—, C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—,—C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-NH—, —NH—C₁₋₆ alkylene-C(O)—, —C(O)NH—, —NHC(O)—,C₁₋₆ alkylene-NHC(O)—, —SO₂NH—, —NHSO₂—, —NHC(O)NH—, cycloalkylene,—N═N—, and —C(R^(3a))═N(R^(3c))—, wherein the alkylene group isoptionally substituted with from 1-4 R^(3b) groups; R^(3a) is selectedfrom the group consisting of H, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; each R^(3b) isindependently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl,halogen, —OR^(3a) and —NR^(3a)R^(3a); R^(3c) is absent or —OH;alternatively, L² is combined with R¹, L¹ is combined with L², L¹ iscombined with R², two R¹ groups on adjacent ring atoms, or two R² groupson adjacent ring atoms are combined to form a 5-6 memberedheterocycloalkyl with from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S,or a 5-6 membered heteroaryl with from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected fromN, O and S, and optionally substituted with from 1 to 3 groups selectedfrom the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl and oxo; subscripts m and nare each an integer from 1 to 3; wherein: (a) L¹ is a bond, L² is—C(O)NH—, ring B is phenyl, and at least one R² is —CN or phenyl, or (b)at least one R¹ is —C(O)OH, ring A is phenyl, L² is —C(O)NH—, and L¹ isa bond or C₁₋₆ alkylene, or (c) each of ring A and ring B is phenyl, atleast one R¹ is —C(O)OH or combined with L², and at least one R² isselected from the group consisting of H, —CN and —C(O)OH; wherein whenR¹ is —CO₂H, subscript n is 1, ring A is phenyl, L² is —C(O)NH—, L¹ is abond, ring B is phenyl, subscript m is 1, and R² is phenyl, then thephenyl of R² is substituted with C₁₋₆ alkyl, or salts and isomersthereof.
 33. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 32, wherein thecomposition is formulated for intra-articular delivery.
 34. Thecomposition of claim 32, further comprising a member selected from thegroup consisting of angiopoietin-like 3 protein (ANGPTL3), oral salmoncalcitonin, SD-6010 (iNOS inhibitor), vitamin D3 (choliecalciferol),collagen hydrolyzate, FGF18, BMP7, avocado soy unsaponifiables (ASU) andhyaluronic acid.